Zoning Board Grants Variances

The Effingham City Zoning Board of Appeals granted two variances in zoning guidelines at this week's meeting.

The Board granted James Anders a variance for a two-lot subdivision he plans to develop at 14140 N. 1550th Street.  The land is located south of US 40 on the east side of John Deere Road between Effingham and Teutopolis.  The variance allows each of the lots to have a minimum width of no less than 160 feet.  The usually allowable minimum width is 200 feet.  

Concerns were voiced by a neighbor that the variance would allow homes that would change the makeup of the neighborhood, but the variance was approved unanimously.

The other variance concerns Billie Jansen of Walnut Street Weddings, who asked for a deviation in the guidelines recently approved regarding parking for events at Austin Mansion at Wabash and 4th.  The variance will allow Walnut Street Weddings to utilize any private parking lot or location within the city limits capable of accommodating a minimum of 75 available parking spots.  The owner of the space must have entered into a signed parking agreement with Walnut Street Weddings.  

The variance received unanimous approval from the Zoning Board.