Plan Commission Okays Site Plans for Collision Center, Church Youth Center

The Effingham City Plan Commission Tuesday okayed site plans for a new auto body repair shop and for a church youth center.

The auto body repair shop, to be known as J and R Collision Centers, will be located along the west side of US Route 45, across from the Airport Road.  The 11,200 square foot facility will be housed on a three-acre tract now owned by Ryan and Janet Jones.  The son and father team of Jake and Roger Buhnerkempe will own and operate the business.

Commission members also approved a subdivision plat of the property and recommended rezoning the parcel from non urban to light industrial, which City Building Official Bruce Devall said conforms with the zoning trend in the area.  The City Council has the final say on the rezoning of the property.

The Commission also approved a site plan of a church youth center for Effingham Assembly of God at 3200 South Banker.  The building will be located east behind the church building along the north side of Miracle Avenue.  Half of the six thousand square foot building will be used by high school youth, and the other half by junior high youth.  Devall said church officials indicate the youth program has outgrown the church building, with the area in the church building to be converted to classroom space.

Commission members approved a plat of Anders Subdivision, a two-lot development along John Deere Street south of US Route 40 between Effingham and Teutopolis.  The Commission also recommended the City Council adopt revisions to the City's Comprehensive Plan, although Plan Commission Chairman Greg Kemper thought it ironic that no one from the Plan Commission was involved in the discussions regarding the Comprehensive Plan.  A public hearing on the revisions is set for 6:30pm next Thursday night, May 22, at the next City Council meeting.