Carolyn Rusin/TribLocal reporter

Residents suggested Barrington include in its vision for the future everything from more benches in the downtown to a senior citizens’ center.

About a dozen residents of the east end of the village near Citizens Park to Route 14 turned out Wednesday night to share their thoughts with village officials who are beginning the process of updating the comprehensive plan.

“We’re really looking for your vision – what you want your neighborhood to look like,” said Anna Bush, chairman of the plan commission.

The village is hosting a series of neighborhood meetings through the fall to help officials with long-range planning. A plan has to be updated every 10 years and it was last updated in 2000.

Some residents asked about widening sidewalks to increase pedestrian traffic, while others voiced concerns about flooding and lack of police presence on streets where there are speeding motorists. They also asked about adding a senior center or a long-term care facility.

“I would like to see a senior center similar to the one in Arlington Heights,” said resident Kathern Quigg. She also suggested adding more benches for gathering spaces in its downtown area.

Residents then were asked to raise hands if they supported such ideas as medium-density housing, keeping the building height for businesses to three stories opposed to four or five stories, and adding more sidewalks. The majority was in favor of the questions asked.

Village President Karen Darch thanked residents for their contributions.

“You don’t have to wait every 10 years to come to the village hall. If you’re having an issue please, let us know,” Darch said.

The meeting was the third of eight planned meetings. The Plan Commission will hold public hearings on the comprehensive plan in late fall to early 2011. The Village Board expects to vote on an updated plan next spring.