The Concord City Planning Board granted architectural design review, site‑plan waivers and conditional‑use approval March 19 for a new one‑story, 3,672‑square‑foot drive‑through Bankers Savings branch at 111 Loudoun Road. The board approved the plan with specific conditions addressing finish colors and the rear door color, and it granted waivers identified in the staff report.

Key conditions: The board approved the applicant’s request to remove two suggested architectural modifications that staff had raised (planter boxes and additional landscaping adjacent to the drive lane) after the applicant demonstrated those features could impede safe emergency vehicle access. The board did require the following before final sign‑off: minor adjustments to driveway radii (to improve large‑vehicle turning clearance), preference for native plant species in the landscaping plan where practicable, and standard precedent engineering items (final utility plans, stormwater details, O&M manual, and recording required easements).

Why it matters: The site is narrowly configured and sits near an existing commercial property with a shared fence line; board members asked how tree removal and fence installation would be managed during construction and asked the applicant to avoid spilling silt or debris onto adjacent property. The applicant explained that certain small loads (snow) may be trucked off site and that the stormwater system was sized with infiltration galleries and a bioretention area to control runoff.

Applicant remarks: John Ralphs of Nobis Group and Toni Porter Brown of Warren Street Architects presented the plans. They showed a vehicle‑turn template for a local fire truck and explained that front‑overhang on the fire truck may appear to protrude beyond curbing, but the wheels remain clear and the turn templates demonstrate safe access.

Next steps: Applicant must submit final engineered plans and a finalized planting schedule (preferring native species where appropriate). Staff will verify driveway tie‑ins, grading and stormwater details before issuing final permits.

Ending: With precedent items resolved, the branch may proceed to permitting; staff will coordinate the final engineering review and condition verification.