Council Asked to Move on Residential Development in Effingham

Local entrepreneur Mark Mayhood Tuesday asked the Effingham City Council to look for ways to develop residential property in the city. 

Mayhood said other county communities such as Altamont, Dieterich and Teutopolis are successfully working for more homes in their towns, so why hasn't Effingham been able to do the same? He said, "Why can't we get a group together to address this?"

Mayhood has spoken at a couple of other recent Council meetings. He asked about the guideline that lets citizens voice their opinions on issues, but that ends when the Council begins its discussions. He asked whether it could be changed so citizens can join in at least briefly when the Council discusses the very things brought forth by the citizen?

During discussion, Council members heard the latest on a tree preservation policy for Effingham that is part of a requirement to receive grant funds for work on trees in the city. Director of Public Works Jeremy Heuerman said Effingham needs a policy to guide regulation of trees on city right-of-way.

The Council heard from Tourism Director Jodi Thoele on purchase of additional Christmas lights. Thoele said some decorations will be refurbished and some in the Toyland area will not be back. She said that if new decorations are purchased by month's end, the City will save $20,000, which is the amount that was generated by donations from those who toured Wonderland in Lights.

A reminder was shared the next in the series of meetings regarding Effingham's 2050 Comprehensive Plan will take place this Thursday at 5:30pm at City Hall, and will concern the future land use map. Another meeting will take place at 8:30am on March 10 to address utilities. All of these meetings are open to the public.

There was also discussion on the next 600-foot easterly extension of Ford Avenue, and Fire Chief Brant Yochum shared that grant funds were obtained for firefighters and for their helmets for times of poor visibility.

The Council approved several subdivision plats. One is the 7th addition to Prairie Ace Estates where three lots are being subdivided into two larger lots; another is for GKTW Subdivision where five lots on the end of Lynn Drive will be subdivided into two lots; another is for the seventh addition to American Way Industrial Park at Pike and Raney in the City Business Park for a three-acre subdivision; and still another for two lots to be known as Crawford Street Subdivision north of Bliss Park.

Council members amended the interior boundaries of a central TIF district to allow construction of an apartment building along 3rd Street, and approved a four-way stop intersection at East Market Avenue and North 2nd Street next to East Side School.

Neither Mayor Mike Schutzbach nor Commissioner Hank Stephens were present for Tuesday's meeting. Commissioner Larry Micenheimer presided over the meeting.