Effingham could see a new microbrewery following a decision by the Plan Commission granting a special use permit for a property located 403 West National Avenue on Tuesday night. The special permit allows for the installation of a brewpub, which consists of a microbrewery and bar. The Effing Brew Company, headed by Colby Patterson who owns Scrubby’s Pub, hopes to set up shop in the vacant building next to the Amtrak Station. Patterson, and his two brew-masters Eric Cornell and Chad Erhardt, will be operating a brewery and a bar that will offer limited food items. Patterson says the idea came to him after his now partner Eric Cornell wanted to brew beer at Scrubby’s Pub.
While concerns about the proximity of a drinking establishment to train tracks was discussed, the commission voted unanimously to approve the special use permit. Patterson expects that the whole project will take around a year once they sign the lease on the property, which is owned by National Trail Development LLC.
The Plan Commission also approved a rezoning request for a property located at 2301 North Raney Street from non-urban and multiple dwelling to a Highway Commercial District. The redistricting is in conjunction with the construction of Meijer in Effingham. According to Jon Sheidler, a civil engineer representing Meijer from Woolpert Inc., 2301 N. Raney is one of the properties that will be used in the development and would need to be rezoned in order for planning to proceed. The plan commission voted to recommend the rezoning.
A site plan for Mette’s Cabinet Corner was also approved at Tuesday’s meeting.