Plan Commission Handles Variety of Issues

Members of the Effingham City Plan Commission have asked City staff to revisit a possible change in the zoning code text. 

The staff studied the idea due to structures that long ago were single family homes, but have long been used as multi-family structures. The goal is to bring the zoning of the structures into conformity with City code without harming the status of neighboring structures.

The proposal was to issue a special use permit for a multi-family dwelling in a residential district on a case-by-case basis. The impetus for the proposal was a request at a Plan Commission meeting a couple of months ago for a property at 800 South 5th Street. The petitioner wanted the property to comply with the Zoning Ordinance. City officials said the structure has been used as a multi family structure for at least 50 years without any objection, but the prospective purchaser wants to conform with City guidelines.

The proposed change was rejected 6-1, but City staff plans to revisit the issue.

With the result of that vote, the petitioner was granted a continuance until the matter is reviewed.

The Plan Commission approved a request for a special use permit for miniwarehouses to be located at 805 and 807 West Wabash Avenue. The permit was recommended for approval with the provision that solid stockade fencing be located between the miniwarehouses and neighboring residential property and that any lighting be directed away from the residences.

Commissioners also granted a petition to vacate a portion of North Henrietta Street, north of Franklin Avenue. The portion of street hasn't been used since the reconstruction of Keller Drive to a five-lane roadway many years ago.

There was also discussion of a training session by the Illinois chapter of the American Planning Association on October 5. In addition to the Effingham City Plan Commission and the Effingham Zoning Board of Appeals, municipal officials from Teutopolis, Dieterich and Altamont have been invited to the training.