Plan Commission Reviews Annexation Agreement w/D&A Farms

The Effingham City Plan Commission Tuesday reviewed an annexation agreement with D&A Farms that could lead to an easterly extension of Ford Avenue to North 4th Street.

The agreement includes the annexation of five parcels of land along the north side of Interstates 57/70 from Buffalo Wild Wings and Golden Fields Subdivision on the west to 4th Street on the east. The City would extend sewer service to the site and would also attempt to form a business district to aid in the development of the area. The property has to be within the City limits for a business area to be developed. The City is also seeking grant funding for much of the development dollars. At a recent City Council meeting, the City and D&A Farms each committed $50,000 toward a grant request for the Ford Avenue extension.

There was no action on the annexation agreement, just a review of the proposed development.

One item before the Plan Commission Tuesday was tabled and dismissed. That involved the proposed rezoning of 10420 and 10446 East Kingwood Drive from R-1 single family residential district to R-2 single family residential district. Several residents were present for the meeting, but the petitioners Diana and Adam Moon were not in attendance. The City requires the petitioners on a matter, or their representative, to be in attendance or else the request will not be considered. The City had notified those who had indicated interest in the matter that the petition would not be considered.

The Plan Commission voted to recommend the City Council vacate a portion of Luther Street beyond the gate into St. John Lutheran Church Cemetery, and voted to recommend the Council vacate an undeveloped alley platted to run north and south between Eiche Avenue and Wernsing Avenue east of the City's wastewater treatment plant.

This was the final meeting to be held remotely by the City. City meetings in the future will return to City Hall beginning with next week's City Council meeting.