Plan Commission Recommends Rezoning for Goldstein Development

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Published on July 11 2017 8:17 pm
Last Updated on July 11 2017 8:17 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

The Effingham City Plan Commission Tuesday recommended the City Council rezone property owned by D & A Farm for single-family and multi-family residential development.

The 22.99-acre tract has been proposed for development in the past, but the City denied the earlier zoning request. This time, developer David Goldstein said he talked with City officials about what would be an acceptable development option and what would sell.

The proposal follows the City's Comprehensive Land-Use Plan for the area, which is next to single-family residential development but is also near the interstate and is projected for commercial development. The Comprehensive Plan calls for a transitional development moving from single-family residential to multi-family residential and then commercial.

Goldstein said he's looking at single-family homes known as "patio homes" as well as duplexes and apartment buildings. He said the apartments would be similar to Evergreen Terrace Apartments off North 4th Street.

Some neighbors who own single-family homes in the area raised objections to the proposal, saying it would hurt their property values, but Plan Commission Chairman Greg Kemper said the proposed development is more in compliance than what Goldstein proposed earlier.

The Commission also recommended approval of a plat of the property.

Two other plats were recommended for approval; a parcel on the east side of Hoffman Drive that is being divided into two parcels for commercial development; and the Speedway Subdivision on West Fayette that is to be developed as a truck and other vehicle fueling location between Comfort Suites and Walgreen. A site plan for the Speedway development was withdrawn from the agenda and not considered.

The Commission also heard from City Building Official Michelle Wilkins on whether to allow residences in the same building as businesses in areas other than the downtown area. Wilkins said she's had requests, mostly from those who own a property and want to live upstairs. Commission members saw no objection to those requests as long as all City guidelines are followed, but also seemed receptive the upstairs areas being rented out. Currently, such uses are only permitted in the downtown area. The matter will be brought back for further consideration.

Commission members also heard from Thaddeus and Robin Bruno, who recently moved to Effingham and would like to develop a residence in the 400 block of South 5th for a restaurant on the first floor and their residence above. The Brunos would also like to do catering at the location. The Commission seemed to like the idea, so more action is expected.