Council approves Huntington Bank lot split and site plan for new Kent Road branch after planning commission review

The city council on April 10 approved a lot split, variances and site plan that clear the way for a new Huntington Bank branch on Kent Road, adopting a resolution that implements Planning Commission recommendations on the project.

The applicant, represented at the hearings by Horn Marshall of Allegro Civil Engineers, described a three-parcel lot split for a roughly 7-acre site in a C4 zoning area located between Blingstop and Goodyear Tire. Parcel A is planned for a 3,600-square-foot Huntington Bank building with a four-lane drive-through on the east side of the building and 13 on-site parking spaces. Access would be shared with the adjacent Acme Plaza parking area, with ingress and egress points tying to that lot.

Why it matters: The proposal requires multiple variances from the existing zoning code, including relief from lot-area and frontage requirements, depth-to-frontage ratios, building and parking setbacks, dumpster screening/setback and drive-through stacking and circulation standards. Approval moves the project to the city’s permitting and site-review stage.

Key site-plan variances and details

- Lot split: The split creates three parcels. The existing code requires a minimum lot area of 40,000 square feet and 120 feet of frontage; proposed parcel dimensions will require variances from those standards.

- Building and parking setbacks: The code’s front building setback of 80 feet would be reduced to 72.5 feet for the bank; the required rear setback of 20 feet is proposed at 13 feet. Side parking setbacks require 10 feet but the plan shows roughly 8 feet at the nearest points.

- Drive-through circulation and stacking: The code requires five stacking spaces per drive-through lane; the proposed layout would not meet that standard without a variance because it would constrain circulation.

- Dumpster: The proposed dumpster location would be approximately 1 foot off the property line and requires a variance; staff confirmed screening materials will match the building and the enclosure height will meet the 6-foot screening standard.

Applicant and staff comments

Horn Marshall, civil engineer for the applicant, told the Planning Commission that Huntington’s representative had answered some questions at the planning commission meeting but that the applicant had not confirmed whether the branch will replace an existing Huntington location. Planning staff noted landscaping and building-elevation plans had been reviewed by the city arborist; the submitted plan showed 10 shade trees, roughly 85 shrubs and more than 26 percent of the lot in landscaped area.

Planning commission and council actions

- Planning Commission: On April 10 the Planning Commission voted to place the matter on the city council agenda. That committee motion passed in committee with a tally reported as three yeses and one no.

- City Council: Council read the lot-split resolution and, with the rules suspended for immediate consideration, adopted the resolution by roll call; all present council members voted yes. The council vote recorded Coffey, Baranek, McIntyre, Riehl, Fioka, Feldman and Herman as voting in favor.

Clarifying details and next steps

- Project scope: The site plan shows a 3,600-square-foot building with a four-lane drive-through and access tied to Acme Plaza. The applicant needs final building permits after council approval and must resolve the listed variances with the city prior to issuing a land-disturbance permit.

- Circulation concerns: Planning staff and some commissioners asked follow-up questions about stacking distances, aisle widths and whether the new facility would close or replace another Huntington location; the Huntington representative was not at the council meeting to answer that question and the applicant (Marshall) said he did not have that information.

Ending

With council adoption the project proceeds to permit review; staff and the applicant will need to finalize variance approvals and address outstanding circulation and frontage questions before construction.