Published on July 23, 2026 6:27 am
Last Updated on July 23, 2026 6:27 am
Some municipalities combine the work done by their Plan Commission and their Zoning Board of Appeals into one body.
Effingham has separate bodies, the City Council this week discussed combining the work into one body. Among the reasons for the switch being considered…reducing the number of meetings, which could be beneficial for the city, but also for those seeking approval from the city.
Another matter that will get quicker attention is accessory dwelling units, and whether the city wants to consider such units. Would such units require a special use permit, and would it result in people living in another person’s garage? That’s not possible at this point, and it might not be pleasing to their neighbors.
Another matter discussed was battery energy storage systems. City Planner Greg Koester said this is newer technology that may be part of a solar energy system, wind energy system, data center, or a stand-along development. Koester said they generally involve a large battery or series of batteries in shipping containers or similar structures that store excess energy for later use. Koester said there can be concerns with noise, fire detections and suppression, environmental and other impacts to the adjacent areas. City Administrator Steve Miller suggested this might be the issue that gets first attention.
The Council also discussed leasing 1-1/2 acres of city-owned land to Mark Goldstein so he could farm the ground, saving the City the maintenance of the land, extending an agreement with Chad Hawkins by six months to get his downtown building painted after the work was delayed, a downtown/southtown rehabilitation program agreement for property owned by Ted and Laura Koester at 109 South 1st Street, and an easement to Ameren Illinois at the water treatment plant for extension of electric service to River Ridge Subdivision on the west edge of the city.
