In a recent city council meeting, a proposal for a new Chase Bank location on 26th Avenue South was met with significant opposition, resulting in the denial of five land use applications. The proposed site, currently a vacant parking lot, would have featured a one-story commercial building with a gross floor area of 38,100 square feet, accompanied by a surface parking lot with 14 spaces.

The council's decision, made on June 10th, followed recommendations from city staff and the planning commission, which cited concerns over the proposal's alignment with the area's zoning regulations. The requested variances included a reduction in the minimum floor area ratio (FAR) from 2.0 to 0.235, a decrease in the minimum height requirement from six stories to one, and an increase in the maximum allowed parking spaces from eight to 14. Additionally, the applicant sought to add a second freestanding sign and wall signage on all four sides of the building, despite regulations limiting signage to primary building walls.

City officials emphasized that the site is situated within a transit-oriented development area, designated for high-density commercial use to leverage access to public transit and local amenities. The planning commission noted that the proposed building's size and design did not meet the comprehensive plan's goals for increased density and that the variances requested lacked justification based on unique site conditions.

The council's denial reflects a broader commitment to maintaining the intended character of the transit 20 built form overlay district, which aims to promote higher density developments that align with the city's growth objectives. The applicant, Chase Bank, has filed an appeal against the planning commission's decision, indicating a potential for further discussions on the matter.