The Effingham Plan Commission voted to recommend two related items at their Tuesday night meeting. Both measures were to accommodate a future 24-hour, emergency childcare facility called the Crisis Nursery of Effingham County located at 924 Merchant Street in Effingham. According to President of the facility’s Board of Directors Meghan Rewers, the Crisis Nursery will be a free service for the community.
The shelter could be used by parents who need emergency medical assistance, but have nowhere to take their children or by police after a child has been removed from a dangerous situation. While the facility would be staffed for overnight stays, children usually spend 4-6 hours at shelters like the proposed Crisis Nursery.
The Plan Commission had to first vote to amend city code language to allow for the new facility because there wasn’t any that would cover what services the nursery would provide. Amendments were made to specific city codes pertaining to Day-Care Centers, Child Care Institutions, and Maternity Centers.
The zoning change required would provide a special use permit to operate in a multi-family (R-3C) zone. While the zoning change was recommended by the commission, it will be contingent on if the City Council approves the both the code language change, as well as the zoning change. According to Rewers, the the goal to have the Crisis Nursery opened by this fall.
The Plan Commission also voted to recommend changing the zoning of a property on 1714 S. Banker Street to allow the future construction of a car wash there. The property is currently Ichabod’s Bar and Grill which will be closing down in the future. James Atteberry, the current owner testified on behalf of zoning change suggesting that the new car wash would bring new jobs to the area. Leon Baine, owner and operator of the new project also testified in support. He has some 20 years of experience in the car wash business. The construction is expected to begin sometime next year.
Deborah Sanders also petitioned the commission to allow her to rezone a small swath of property at 901 N. Keller Drive to allow her to possibly build a small parking lot in the future. Sanders owns the proper directly adjacent to the swath. The commission voted to recommend the change.
The Plan Commission also approved site plans for John Boos & Co. at 3701 S. Banker Street, Sanitation Services at 15325 E. State Highway 33, and the new car wash which will be at 1714 S. Banker.