Plan Commission Supports Site Plan for Ambulance Facility

Effingham City Plan Commission members Tuesday approved a site plan for a building for Abbott EMS. 

The ambulance service has had temporary headquarters in the former YMCA building since coming to town. Doug Murrell plans to build a structure along the 800 block of North 3rd Street, taking down three older homes to make way for the building.

To accommodate the building, the Plan Commission also recommended the City Council amend the City Code allowing a special use permit for a privately-owned emergency services operation. If that's approved, the special use permit would be sought to permit Abbott to locate in the proposed building.

The Plan Commission on a split vote recommended the Council deny a request to rezone property on East Rickelman from non-urban to general commercial zone. The plan is for Chris Alan Koester to build a body shop in the area, but the Comprehensive Plan identifies the property for low-density residential development.

Commission members recommended the Council rezone 926 East Fayette to multi-family residential. Doug Murrell would like to use the parcel for an apartment building or duplex, replacing a single-family home that is uninhabitable. Also recommended for approval is a subdivision plat for a commercial development on the northwest corner of Outer Belt West and Keller Drive where a dental facility is to be built. Also recommended for Council is the vacation of an alley between Second and First Streets and Washington and Jefferson Avenues.

The Plan Commission elected Brian Hayes as chairman and Dave Storm as vice-chairman.