Plan Commission Delays Action on Quik Trip Site Plan

The Effingham City Plan Commission Tuesday delayed action on a site plan for a proposed Quik Trip convenience store at the intersection of North US 45 and Technology Drive.

Commissioners want to get input from IDOT on a traffic study conducted by a private firm for Quik Trip.

Several objections were heard from business leaders in the area of the development, including Jack Schultz and Dean Bingham of Agracel, Jeff Mefford of Midland States Bank, and Chris Swing of Vantage Outsourcing. Each testified as to concerns over the increased volume of traffic the business could generate and traffic tieups from the trucks that would be able to use the business.

Lee Cannon, who conducted the traffic study for Quik Trip, said a turn lane would be added on Technology Drive and that additional traffic signals would be a part of the project. 

Still, the developers are yet to hear from IDOT on what they think of the proposal and, until then, the request for approval of the site plan was postponed until the October Plan Commission meeting.

A rezoning request for the Quik Trip was pulled from the agenda at the developer's request and will also be considered at the October meeting.

The Commission approved a site plan for an expansion of Bahrns Equipment at 1708 South Banker. The 5,900 square foot addition will go on the east end of the building.

Three petitions for special use permits were recommended for approval by the City Council. One is for a radio transmitter tower at 1350 Outer Belt West. Menard's wants to expand to the south and will utilize the detention pond. That means removing the tower in the detention area. That's the tower owned by Premier Broadcasting and is the location for the antenna for KJ Country 102.3. Once the special-use permit is finalized, the new tower will be built along Outer Belt West and the old tower will come down to make way for the Menard's expansion. We will keep you up-to-date on the project.

Another special-use permit was recommended for approval for Family Care Associates at 1108 North Merchant Street. If the permit is granted by the Council, Family Care plans to construct a COVID-19 testing facility. Janice Westendorf of Family Care said an estimated 1,200 people have traveled from the Effingham area to Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center for such testing. Once the COVID pandemic is remedied, the facility will use as an immunization clinic and for other testing.

The third special-use permit is for Lakeside EMS. Lakeside owner Jerrod Estes said changes in the county ambulance ordinance will allow them to handle ambulance calls in certain situations. They plan to operate at 302 East Section Avenue.