Plan Commission Approves Andes Pharmacy Project, Recommends Denial of Rezoning on St. Anthony

Effingham City Plan Commission members Tuesday approved a site plan and a final plat for the new home for Andes Health Mart Pharmacy on West Fayette Avenue.

A new home will be built for the pharmacy west and south of the current building. Access will be provided off Mulberry Street to the east for the current building while the new facility is under construction. The new subdivision plat includes one lot of just over one acre, rather eight lots, four on the north side and four on the south side.

The Plan Commission also voted 4-3 to recommend a denial of a rezoning request from W Squared Properties. W Squared would like 909 West St. Anthony Avenue rezoned from single-family residential to two and three family dwelling district.

Developer Bryan Wenthe presented a design of a triplex on the lot with parking for six vehicles, three in garages and three on the driveways. Wenthe noted that the lot hasn't been developed since 2012.

Neighboring property owner Brad Hibdon objected to the rezoning, saying the lot should remain single family residential. Hibdon voiced concerns over a lack of drainage and parking, and saying the request would be "spot zoning". 

Wenthe said the development would be similar to other properties along St. Anthony Avenue and would continue what he sees as a zoning trend along the street.

Plan Commission Chairman Brian Hayes voted to recommend the rezoning, saying "the highest and best use is to have the lot occupied, not vacant." Vice-Chairman David Storm felt the rezoning would reflect a "trend toward multi-family zoning in the area."

Commissioner Ken Wohltman, though, said he parked at the property and watched traffic, and said he was concerned about vehicles backing out onto St. Anthony, even while making way for another vehicle to get out onto the street. Wohltman said he could see a duplex developed on the lot, something that was echoed by Commissioner Cindy Vogel. Commissioner Mark Thies said, "This isn't the time for a triplex." He said he could see a duplex. Commissioner Theresa Hillyer favored keeping the lot developed with a single-family residence.

Hayes, Storm and Commissioner Kevin Gouchenouer voted against denying the rezoning, while Thies, Wohltman, Vogel and Hillyer voted in favor of the denial.

Commissioners were updated by City Planner Greg Koester that an amendment to the zoning ordinance concerning wind energy systems could be forthcoming in the next couple of months. Koester also reported that three firms submitted qualifications to develop a new Comprehensive Plan for the city. He said the goal is to have the new plan in place by the end of 2025.