The Effingham County Board approved two conditional uses on Dec. 2 after staff verification steps were agreed.

Rhonda Bartley petitioned the board to operate a rooming and boarding arrangement at 485 Standard Lane to house independent veterans (males age 60+). Bartley proposed up to six occupants in a 14×80 home; building-code officials told the board that international property‑maintenance and building codes set minimum bedroom area requirements and that a code inspection will determine the permissible occupant count. Code staff said minimum bedroom area often limits boarding‑house occupancy, and county staff said the board would approve the use with staff to verify the interior layout and determine the number of allowed occupants under code. The board approved the conditional use and staff will verify room dimensions and occupancy per code before final licensing.

Jeanette Bartos requested conditional use for a small farm‑stand bakery (an 8×10 metal structure) to sell baked goods on a residential property. Bartos said she will operate on an honor system with labeled products and limited hours; staff noted recent state changes to cottage‑food rules but advised that the county still requires a local business license and that Department of Agriculture regulations must be met where applicable. The board approved the conditional use with stipulations that the applicant maintain a county business license, comply with local residential‑business rules and Department of Agriculture requirements, and follow the approved hours of operation.