Staff recommends denial of drive-through bank at North Shore Town Center, saying design fails town-center intent

Planning staff recommended denial of alternative-compliance relief for a proposed branch bank and drive-through at North Shore Town Center, saying the site plan departs from the original town-center (TC1) intent of pedestrian-oriented buildings close to the road and rear parking. A staff presenter described the proposal as a single-story, roughly 4,000-square-foot structure with two drive-through lanes and a bypass lane located between the building and Town Center Boulevard and with surface parking to the side and rear. Staff noted the town-center zoning (TC1) and its alternative-compliance provision are intended to encourage pedestrian-oriented, mixed-use development built close to the street; in contrast, the proposed design places drive-through lanes between the building and the road. The site is constrained by a sewer-line easement that the applicant cited as a reason for building placement; staff said at least from a two-dimensional review "there's no evident reason why that sewer line couldn't be relocated, behind the structure" but acknowledged that utility relocation is an engineering and utility-district question. Staff concluded the alternative-compliance submittal did not meet the town-center zoning's purpose and intent and recommended denial of the request. Staff noted the town-center master plans and design guidelines show buildings placed close to streets, plazas and boardwalks rather than drive-through lanes between building and road. Staff recommended denial and invited further coordination on how to best meet TC1's pedestrian and mixed-use expectations if the applicant wishes to revise the plan. No formal action was taken at the agenda-review meeting; staff said the item will return for further consideration with more detail on utilities and on any feasible site adjustments.