Planning commission recommends special use permit for Heartland Bank drive‑through at Grove and South Fourth

The DeKalb Planning and Zoning Commission on Monday recommended that the City Council approve a special use permit for Heartland Bank and Trust to build a new branch with drive‑through facilities at the southwest corner of Grove Street and South Fourth Street.

Staff said Heartland’s proposal calls for a roughly 2,100‑square‑foot masonry building, two stacked drive‑through lanes, an ATM lane, and 10 parking spaces. The property is zoned Central Business District, where a drive‑through facility requires a special use permit; the staff report recommended approval after review of access, stacking and landscaping plans.

Tom Weaver, representing the applicant during the hearing, described the site as the former post office parcel and said Heartland acquired the lot last fall. A Heartland representative who could not attend was noted as supportive; Landon (representing Heartland) said the bank expects the new location will provide improved visibility and continued service to the city’s south side.

City staff described site changes discussed during design review: two access points (one off Grove Street and one full access off South Fourth Street with Illinois Department of Transportation approval), landscaping setbacks along South Fourth, and stacking that meets the UDO requirement of three spaces per drive lane. The staff report included building elevations, grading and utility plans in Exhibit A.

Commissioners asked about the alley that will provide one access into the site. One commissioner who uses the alley daily said it is “not very much used,” and staff and a city representative said any required alley repairs or improvements damaged during construction would be addressed as part of the project; the city indicated it would coordinate paving work with adjacent parking and annex building needs.

Commissioner Becker moved that the commission forward its findings of fact and recommend council approval of the special use permit per the site plan in Exhibit A of the staff report dated 07/03/2025; Wright seconded. Roll call was taken and the motion passed.

The recommendation will be forwarded to City Council, and staff noted final site work and any alley improvements will be coordinated with the property owner and city public works during permitting.