Plan Commission OKs site plans for Gabby Goat, Indian restaurant

May 16—Like several other businesses located on Fayette Avenue in Effingham, Gabby Goat American Pub & Grill is taking steps to relocate as a result of the ongoing widening of the roadway.

During its meeting Tuesday, the Effingham Plan Commission approved a site plan for Gabby Goat's new 13,692 square foot single-story building that owner JGKW Holdings LLC, wants to construct adjacent to the east and south side of the restaurant's current parking lot.

"The new building will be about twice the size of the existing building," Effingham City Engineer Luke Thoele said. "There is also a potential outdoor area to the south of the building that they're planning for with this site plan. The combination of the building and outdoor area require 150 parking spaces which are required through this site plan."

The commission also approved a subdivision plat for Gabby Goat Second Subdivision, which will include a replat of the lot the restaurant's existing building and parking lot sit on and a replat of two other adjacent lots that are currently part of the Butcher Block Subdivision.

"The developer's in the process of acquiring Lot 3 of Butcher Block Subdivision, and IDOT is in the process of acquiring a portion of Lot 1 of Gabby Goat First Addition, the property where the existing building is located," Effingham City Planner Greg Koester said.

Although he voted to approve the site plan, Effingham Plan Commission member Ken Wohltman expressed his concern that Gabby Goat's new location could create issues for drivers near the entrance to the new building's parking lot.

"I just picked that up on the site plan on that position of the building and just felt that there could be traffic complications there backing into that turnaround," Wohltman said.

Thoele said he will pass Wohltman's concern on to the project's designer to ensure that they are aware of it.

"I think they would either have to pull past and back into those areas, and if that failed, and they're pulling straight in, they could turn around in the lot," Thoele said.

Also during the meeting, the plan commission approved a site plan for a new Indian restaurant at 1601 W. Evergreen Ave. The restaurant's owner, Parjit Singh, wants to construct the 7,350 square foot single-story building on a vacant lot just east of the Flying J Travel Center in Effingham.

"The required parking for this will be 74 for spaces, and they are providing 88," Thoele said.

In other matters, the commission approved a subdivision plat for Wilson Subdivision, located at 1724 S. Willow St., near the southeastern edge of the city's limits. The commission also recommended the approval of a petition to rezone the replatted property from Nonurban District to R-2 Single-Family Residence District.

"It's four tax parcels but just three tracts," Koester said.

The owner of the property wants to build a new single-family home and would like their new home to be located within city limits, but one of the lots on their property lies beyond these limits. The owner's current home is located on this lot, but they are planning to sell it.

"I want to build a house, and I want to be in the city limits. I want city water," said Donna Wilson, the petitioner and owner of the property.

The properties surrounding the Wilson Subdivision are zoned for residential, commercial and nonurban use.

"There is a trend of development of single-family residences along here, with one house built in 2001, a shed and another house built in 2011," Koester said.

Meanwhile, the commission approved a plat for the sixth addition to Effingham Business Park at the east end of McGrath Avenue which the city is extending south of Stevens Avenue.

"It's a replat of two lots into the industrial park/business park. It would provide for the dedication of McGrath Avenue, and it does involve some transfers of land between different entities," Koester said.

Also during the meeting, the commission recognized Dave Storm for his retirement as the vice chair of the commission after serving as a member for 17 years.

"Look to the windshield; don't look to the review mirror because that's what Effingham needs right now," Storm said. "Thank you very much."

Effingham Plan Commission Chairman Brian Hayes said it's been an "absolute pleasure" serving with him.

"Since the administration of Mayor Utz, from which we were both appointed, you have been invaluable to myself, the commission and the city as vice chairman," Hayes said. "The city has been better served by your commitment to the plan commission."

The commission also voted to elect Mark Thies as its new vice chair and reelected Brian Hayes as its chair. The vacancy Storm leaves is being filled by Brian Meyers.

Commission members Mark Thies, Clint Spruell and Michael McHugh were absent.

Nick Taylor can be reached at nick.taylor@effinghamdailynews.com or by phone at 618-510-9226 or 217-347-7151 ext. 300132.