Plan Commission Discusses Panera Bread, Solar Energy

The Effingham City Plan Commission Tuesday gave a site plan for Panera Bread Bakery and Cafe its approval.

The restaurant is to be located off Keller Drive at 1601 Damron Court. The street is being named after former mayor and local physician E.L. Damron, whose chief claim to fame is that his car was stolen by legendary outlaws Bonnie and Clyde while parked in front of a downtown Effingham store. He got it back.

Now, back to the store. The Panera facility will measure just over 4,000 square feet. It's hoped construction will begin in the early summer. The Commission also recommended approval of a plat of the property.

Commission members also approved a plat of TSB Subdivision. Teutopolis State Bank plans to build a location in Effingham. The site is on the northwest corner of Jefferson Avenue and Cherry Street. The Commission also recommended the property be rezoned to general commercial district. A rental property at 107 North Cherry just north of the bank site will be taken down to make room for employee parking.

Bank President Hank Koester said he doesn't know yet when construction will begin.

The Commission also recommended approval of a plat of the first addition of Mini Hills Subdivision. The plat is needed to designate a lot for the former family home of Cliff and Marian Grunloh. Their son, Tom, has acquired the house from the estate. Remaining property to the west is still undeveloped. The Commission also voted to recommend rezoning the lot on which the house sits from non-urban to single family residential.

Commissioners also voted to recommend rezoning land in Park Ridge Subdivision from non-urban to two-family duplex district. Developer Keith Hartman said the four lots in question are on the north side of Blohm Avenue, north across Blohm from the Effingham VFW Post and east of the Willowbrook Memory Care facilities.

The Commission also voted to recommend an amendment to Appendix B of the Municipal Code, adding guidelines to the use of solar power in the city.

Effingham Fire Chief Joe Holomy said the City is absolutely supportive of alternative energy sources, but said there need to be provisions made related to how solar energy is used and where it is located. The chief said solar energy panels are now being manufactured to resemble roofing shingles. He said that can be a problem if a firefighter arrives on a fire scene and is unaware of the panels that could lead to electrocution. Holomy said the goal is to identify where solar power is used and then include that information in the City CAD system so emergency crews know what they'll encounter when they reach a scene.

Our Greg Sapp spoke with the chief about the request after Tuesday's meeting...

City Attorney Tracy Willenborg said she has researched guidelines in similar municipalities so the requirements here won't be out of line.

The City Council has the final word on most of the items recommended by the Plan Commission.