Special Use Permit Recommended for Crisis Nursery Project

(LEON BAINE, PROPOSED DEVELOPER OF A CAR WASH ON THE CURRENT ICHABOD'S SITE ON SOUTH BANKER, SPOKE TO THE PLAN COMMISSION TUESDAY)

The Effingham City Plan Commission is recommending the City Council grant a special-use permit to allow development of a crisis nursery for the community.

Crisis Nursery of Effingham County would locate in the former Silk Purse Thrift Store location at 924 North Merchant. 

The crisis nursery would accommodate children up to six years old for up to 72 hours, although the agency's board president, Meghan Rewers, said there could rare exceptions. Typically, the center will house children six hours or less, but Rewers said a child's stay will be dictated by what's best for the child.

Rewers said the goal is to have Crisis Nursery open this fall.

The Commission also recommended the City Council amend the City Code to accommodate an operation such as Crisis Nursery at the North Merchant location.

The Commission approved a site plan for Morgan Wyatt Express, a car wash to be developed where Ichabod's Bar and Grill is now located at 1714 South Banker. Prospective purchaser Leon Baine said they will tear down the Ichabod's building and redevelop the property for the car wash. The Commission also recommended the property be rezoned to general commercial district and be issued a special-use permit to operate as a car wash.

Commission members recommended the Council rezone a narrow strip of land adjoining Deb Sanders' Coldwell Banker real estate agency from single family residential to limited office and retail district. Sanders said the rezoning would allow her to expand if necessary or to add parking spaces.

The Commission approved a revised site plan for John Boos and Company's new development along South Route 45. The changes eliminate earlier plans to relocate their showroom to the location, eliminate a west entrance off Thies Avenue, and accommodate open storage of materials.

Commission members also approved a site plan for Sanitation Services at 15325 East State Highway 33. Plans are to construct a building to house the sanitation service's trucks, with a separate entrance from the entrance to the landfill off Route 33.