Board approves variance and special exception for Thrive Credit Union near Meijer

Anderson City’s Board of Zoning Appeals approved a variance and a special exception on Nov. 5 to allow a Thrive Credit Union branch, including a drive‑through canopy that would encroach on a 60‑foot front setback and a reduced green‑barrier width.

Planning staff presented Petition 12‑2512‑25 — described in the staff report as a B‑4 development on roughly 1.276 acres adjacent to the Meijer parking area off East 67th Street — and recommended approval. “Staff does recommend approving the special exception and the variance because the proposed Thrive Credit Union is located in a proper zone district of B4,” the staff presenter said.

Aaron Carl, a representative of T.E. Incorporated, said the company is handling site construction and design and expects to close on the parcel in early December and begin construction immediately, with completion targeted for late spring or early summer if weather permits. Carl said the Thrive branch is “actually set up for lower income families” and that the site was chosen in part because a bus route already serves the Meijer site; he said the petitioner plans to request an additional bus stop at the location.

The approvals address two distinct development variances: a variance for a drive‑through canopy that would extend into the 60‑foot front setback, and a waiver from the zoning code’s 5‑foot green‑barrier requirement (the project proposes a 3.5‑foot buffer). The credit union building itself is designed to meet the setback line; the canopy, an open structure over the drive‑through, is the element requiring a variance. Staff noted the project otherwise meets the applicable Figure 9 B‑4 requirements and design standards. The petitioner also indicated the site plan proposes 29 parking spaces; the code requires 14.

The board first voted on the variance (petition 12a‑25). An unidentified board member moved to approve the variance after reviewing the findings of fact; the motion was seconded and passed 4–0, with recorded yes votes from Mister Grubbs, Missus Williams, Mister Ingram and Mister Williams.

The board then moved on to the special exception and the accompanying waiver from the 5‑foot green barrier. The motion to approve petition 12‑25 with the submitted waiver was made and seconded; the board voted 4–0 in favor. After the vote, the chair directed the petitioner to “see the planning department for proper permits.”

No members of the public spoke in opposition at the meeting. A long‑time past board member, Don Suko, was recognized in the audience but did not remonstrate. The petitioner reiterated that the location’s pedestrian crosswalk and proximity to Meijer support customer access.

Next steps: the petitioner will apply for permits through the planning department and proceed with site work and construction per the approved plans. The board did not require additional conditions beyond the waiver and approvals recorded at the meeting.