Plan Commission Recommends Against Rezoning; Other Business

Effingham City Plan Commisisoners voted unanimously Tuesday night to recommend the City Council deny a rezoning request involving property along Illinois Routes 32/33 at Nazarene Church Road.

Group Investments and its president Paul Koerner sought a rezoning from B-2 general commercial to M-1 light industrial district. The rezoning would allow Heartland Towing to locate a facility there that would also involve storage of vehicles.

Many residents of Lake Edward Estates and nearby subdivisions gathered at City Hall for the rezoning hearing, protesting the proposed zoning change. Some of the homes in the subdivision lots in Lake Edward Estates would reportedly be situated less than 1,000 feet away from the development site, and some residents also raised concerns over noxious odors and noise that could result from the business.

Some residents said the prospect of large vehicles in and out of the facility raised concerns for their kids' safety, and others worried over damage that could be done to Nazarene Road by commercial traffic.

City Building Official Bruce Devall also stated that he could not recommend the proposed rezoning in its current form. After a brief discussion, Plan Commissioners voted to recommend the Council deny the rezoning.

Local realtor Jeff Speer, who represented the petitioner, met in the City Hall hallway prior to the meeting and asked those present whether they objected to the rezoning or the business that is proposed for the site. The residents indicated they didn't want that type of business near their homes.

Also Tuesday, Plan Commission members approved a site plan for a storage building for J&J Ventures. The 6,000 square foot building will be located along the north side of Mansfield Drive in the Effingham Business Park, and will be between the Mansfield U-Store-It units and the former TSI Graphics building.

Commissioners also held a public hearing on the City Public Works Department's 2016 ADA Transition Plan. The plan concerns upgrades of public rights-of-way and sidewalk to meet ADA guidelines.