The Effingham Plan Commission approved a change in municipal code regarding the construction of Brew Pubs, or restaurants/breweries, at Tuesday’s meeting.
According to Effingham Director of Public Works Steve Miller, the change in language is to allow small breweries, who make less than 155,000 gallons of beer a year, to open in Effingham. These differ from standard restaurants because they are permitted to brew, bottle, and sell alcohol. However, many such establishments also include a restaurant as well.
The petition to change the city code language to allow for the construction of a brew pub originated from an party interested in possibly opening one at 403 W. National, next to the Effingham Amtrak Station. An additional petition to move forward with the rezoning, provided the code change was approved, was planned for Tuesday’s meeting, but was removed from the agenda as public notice had been given in time.
The petitioner was Todd Kabbes, of Trail Development, LLC.