City Council Approves Rezoning for QuikTrip Project

The Effingham City Council Tuesday voted 4-1 in favor of rezoning the property that will serve as the site of a QuikTrip Travel Center.

The parcel on the northeast corner of North Route 45 and Technology Drive will be zoned B-5 Highway Commercial, which will allow truck traffic to utilize the facility. That was the main sticking point, as QuikTrip said they couldn't justify the financial investment involved without the truck traffic. It was also the bone of contention for those in opposition to the project, as they said the trucks will tie up traffic in the area.

City Commissioner Hank Stephens spoke in favor of the project prior to the vote. Stephens said the site has not been developed due to the cost of dealing with the terrain, and said QuikTrip is willing to undertake the expense. He said traffic signals are needed at the intersections of Route 45 and the interstate ramps near the project site and QuikTrip is underwriting that cost. He also said the project conforms to the City's Comprehensive Land-Use Plan.

Stephens also took City staffers to task, saying, "We've been trying to get QuikTrip to Effingham for several years. I am concerned that the Plan Commission didn't hear from our city team on that issue." He added that tax revenue from the project could help with improvements to Evergreen Avenue and Willenborg Street to the east and south of the project. Some of those who objected to the project at the Plan Commission meeting voiced concerns that those who work in the area of the project will go east and south to leave work each day and force more traffic onto Evergreen and Willenborg.

Commissioner Merv Gillenwater said, "There's going to be added development in that area, and it will involve trucks, and this project is a chance to get it ready for it."

Commissioner Larry Micenheimer said, "This interchange of the three in Effingham is underdeveloped and this is a chance to address this."

Commissioner Libby Moeller voted No on the rezoning. Moeller had said at the previous Council meeting that she, too, was disappointed that City officials hadn't spoken up at the Plan Commission for the project, and said she felt she should stand behind the Plan Commission's recommendation.

QuikTrip's Gwen Keen said there are very excited about coming to Effingham and respects the work it took to get the project approved. Keen thinks dirt work will be underway on the project by year's end.