City Council Okays Goldstein Rezoning

(CITY POLICE OFFICER JARED PROBST AND HIS NEW K9 PARTNER "JOERI")

Effingham City Council members Tuesday approved the rezoning and platting of property owned by the Donald Goldstein family north of the interstate and east of Charlotte Street.

The close-to-23-acre tract will be developed with residences, some single-family, some with duplexes or patio homes, and some with apartment buildings. The parcel is to be developed south-to-north to conform with City officials' desire for transitional development away from the land directly along the interstate that is expected to be developed commercially. City Director of Public Works Steve Miller said the type of zoning involved in the development is "spot on" as far as what City officials had in mind.

While a preliminary plat was approved for the entire tract, a final plat approved only involves the land on the south end of the development.

The Council approved a declaration that a property at 606 West Lawrence Avenue is dangerous and unsafe, allowing the City to take steps to get the structure repaired or torn down. City Attorney Tracy Willenborg said the property owner has indicated a willingness to get the problems corrected, but the declaration is hoped to move the work along. Willenborg said the roof and the floor is falling in.

Council members discussed a change to the liquor ordinance that would permit any open air, roofed or unroofed area as part of the licensed premises. Commissioner Merv Gillenwater asked for consideration of requiring some restriction as to access to such a facility, some sort of enclosure. Willenborg will take another run at revising the ordinance.

The Council approved an inducement resolution for the South Banker Street Business District, part of the process of getting the district established as an economic development tool. They also indicated they would act favorably on a proposed exterior renovation of Goeckner Accounting at 2001 South Banker. The Goeckners are proposing a renovation costing $52,278 and splitting the cost of the work with the City.

The Council hired Stantec to perform a sewer rate study; and awarded bids to Benaich Construction for reconstruction work on Clark Avenue off South Banker in the area of Bliss Park, and to Effingham Asphalt for reconstruction work on Lawrence Avenue in the same area and for resurfacing work on Main Street in the downtown area. An award was also made to B & T Drainage and Excavating for a water main bore under East Route 40. Also approved was a plat of Speedway Subdivision on West Fayette.

Council members approved an award of $35,000 to Thelma Keller Convention Center to upgrade their Wi-FI system; approved a plat of White Subdivision along Hoffman Drive; and met the newest member of the city police force, K9 Joeri, pronounced "Yory". Police Chief Jeff Fuesting said the K9's nickname is "Yo" and Officer Probst said his new partner's favorite snack is "hot dogs".

Tuesday night's meeting was the first Council meeting to be live streamed on the City's website. All Council, Plan Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals meetings will be live streamed, and will be archived on their website.