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Planning commission approves drive‑through at Century Bank site with staff conditions
Summary
The Coldwater Planning Commission approved Special Use Permit 2501 to build a drive‑through facility behind A Hundred West Chicago for Century Bank and Trust, subject to outstanding items including a lighting plan, parcel combination, and tree/landscaping adjustments.
The Coldwater Planning Commission approved Special Use Permit 2501 to allow a drive‑through facility on the rear portion of the A Hundred West Chicago property, a project presented on behalf of Century Bank and Trust.
The permit was requested by project representatives with Thompson Family Group and Barbara McAlpin Associates to add a covered drive‑up facility and interactive teller machines (ITMs) behind the bank’s existing building. Planning staff told the commission that most plan items are complete but the applicant must supply a lighting plan and finalize the legal combination of three parcels before the permit is finalized.
William Haas, a project representative with Thompson Family Group and Barbara McAlpin Associates, told commissioners the bank shifted its plans after COVID to increase drive‑up services and include two ITM lanes. "They really wanted to look at doing up a drive up lane and a drive up facility, for, for their members to come and use and at least be out of the weather," Haas said.
Staff reported the applicant submitted a soil erosion and sediment control plan and details for dumpster screening; the proposed screening will match the building with a brick wall and composite gates. Staff also noted the site will add an underground retention basin in the northeast corner to account for increased impervious surface and that Fishback (the city reviewer) has reviewed and accepted the stormwater calculations for the 100‑year event.
Commissioners asked about landscaping and parking. Project representatives said six new parking spaces would be added on the east side of the drive facility and that some existing drive‑up equipment will be removed once the new facility is built. The applicants said they will revise the tree species after staff raised concerns about a potentially invasive variety and that they can add trees in other planting areas to meet ordinance requirements.
Planning staff recommended approval subject to the remaining staff items; the commission voted to approve the permit conditioned on submission of the lighting plan and completion of the three‑parcel combination, and to address the suggested tree plantings to meet ordinance tree counts. The commission did not record a roll‑call vote in the transcript; the motion passed when the chair called for voice votes.
Pending items staff listed for final administrative clearance include the lighting plan and the formal lot combination. Once those are submitted and reviewed, staff will finalize the permit.
