Plan Commission Recommends Two Rezoning Proposals

Effingham City Plan Commission members Tuesday recommended the City Council approve two rezoning proposals.

One proposal is to rezone the corner of Willow Street and Fayette Avenue as well as 315 South 1st Street from light industrial district to general commercial district.

The property (seen above) basically formerly housed John Boos and Company before it moved south of Effingham. It was announced at last week's City Council meeting that the owners of Homewood Grill plan to construct an 1,800 square foot building on the property, including a drive-through lane, and City officials are hopeful that will begin the redevelopment of the parcel. 

The other proposal is to rezone the properties at 809 and 811 Franklin Avenue from single-family residence district to neighborhood shopping district. Owner Steve Moore said the houses that were on the parcels were taken down in the past few days. The land will be used for parking for Kemper CPA Group to the south. 

City Planner Greg Koester said the proposal goes against the Comprehensive Land Use Plan, but added that the development in that area has been going against the plan. 

Cody Willenborg of C-W Motorsports said his customers and suppliers have voiced concerns over graffiti seen in that area, and is strongly in favor of the project.