Published on April 8, 2025 8:34 pm
Last Updated on April 8, 2025 8:34 pm
The Effingham City Plan Commission Tuesday recommended the City Council allow a portable classroom building to be located at South Side School.
Unit 40 Superintendent Andy Johnson said the goal is to have all of the district’s second grade students to be housed at South Side. Johnson and South Side Principal Jessica Reeder have shared with the school board that academically and socially, it’s better for all of the second graders to go to classes at the same building.
There is a consideration, though; the building can only be located there for one year. At that point, permission must be sought for it to remain there for one more year.
The Commission voted to recommend the granting by the City Council of special use permits for IAG Investments on land at 15244 East 1700th Avenue. One permit would be for a cryptocurrency mine and the other would be for a solar energy system.
The Commission approved a site plan for North Splash Car Wash as part of the Northside Ford development at 1705 Ford Avenue. The dealership will use the car wash, but it will also be open to the general public.
Commission members renewed a preliminary and final plat for a fifth addition to Cross Pointe Subdivision, which involves additional property to expand parking for the Effingham Performance Center.
There was also considerable discussion of whether to recommend mini-warehouses to be located at 3221 South Banker. There were concerns about how the land would be developed as an entrance to the city. The matter was continued to a future meeting while City staff gets more information for the Commission as to the parcel’s development. However, the Commission did recommend the Council rezone two parcels at the same location, one to light industrial district, and one to general commercial. The parcels are currently zoned non urban.
Tuesday’s meeting was the final meeting for Theresa Hillyer, who is leaving after four years on the Commission. She is believed to be part of the only father-daughter combination to serve on the Commission. Hillyer’s father, Clint Stork, was a long-time member of the Commission.
Commissioners Ken Wohltman, Michael McHugh, Brian Meyers and Kevin Gouchenouer were not present for Tuesday’s meeting.
