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Village board approves Johnson Bank zoning amendments for new branch and temporary occupancy
Summary
The board approved two zoning map amendments that will allow Johnson Bank to build a new bank at 5901 Durand Ave and temporarily occupy the former bank at 5723 Durand Ave; staff asked to rezone the temporary site back to lower-intensity zoning after occupancy.
The Village Board on April 28 approved two zoning map amendments to accommodate Johnson Bank’s plan to build a new branch at 5901 Durand Avenue and to temporarily occupy the former bank at 5723 Durand Avenue while construction proceeds.
Mr. Schultz (community development staff) told the board the applicant sought to change parcels from C-2 (moderate-intensity commercial) and RL-1 (low-density residential) to C-3 (high-intensity commercial) for 5901 Durand so the new facility can continue to operate multiple drive-through lanes. "The plan commission recommends that the village board moves to approve the ordinance," Schultz said.
Carla Scribe, regional president for Johnson Bank, said the bank plans to demolish the existing building and build a smaller, modern 5,000-square-foot branch to replace the current roughly 7,000-square-foot facility. Scribe said Johnson Bank conducts about 4,000 transactions at the location annually, with about 2,500 handled through drive-through lanes; the bank wants to preserve multiple drive-through lanes during and after construction.
Neighbors spoke during the public hearing. Stefan Leisner, who said his property borders the bank, asked whether "high intensity commercial" meant a strip mall could be built; staff and trustees clarified the corner parcels rezoned to C-2 would be appropriate for neighborhood businesses such as small offices or clinics rather than large drive‑through commercial uses.
Schultz and trustees noted prior redevelopment interest in the nearby parcel and said C-3 was being granted to permit temporary drive-through use; Schultz recommended staff return to the board after Johnson Bank occupies the new facility to rezone 5723 Durand back to C-2 to reduce the chance the temporary C-3 designation could be used later for more intense drive-through uses such as car washes or fast-food restaurants.
Ordinance 4-20-25 (5901 Durand Avenue zoning map amendment) passed on roll call vote; all trustees present voted aye. Ordinance 5-20-25 (5723 Durand Avenue zoning map amendment, temporary occupancy) also passed unanimously. The board and residents expressed support for Johnson Bank’s reinvestment in the community.
Trustees requested a clerical correction in related documents where a paragraph incorrectly referred to a "common council"; the board directed staff to change the wording to "village board."
