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Commission approves Fifth Third Bank site plan and special land use amid debate over drive‑through widths
Summary
The commission approved a special‑land‑use and site plan for a 2,133 sq ft Fifth Third Bank at 4805 Coconut Creek Parkway, including dual drive‑through lanes, one EV charger, rooftop solar and a rain garden; commissioners debated whether the city should adopt an 11‑foot minimum drive‑through lane width in future code updates.
The Coconut Creek City Commission on Sept. 25 approved the special land use and site plan for a new Fifth Third Bank to be built at 4805 Coconut Creek Parkway, replacing a long‑vacant restaurant. The project includes a roughly 2,133‑square‑foot building, dual drive‑through lanes (a teller lane and an ATM lane), one EV charging station, rooftop solar sized to about the output of one single‑family home, and a rain garden that will reduce paved area by about 5,000 square feet.
Justin Prophet, director of sustainable development, said staff found the site plan complies with the city’s land development code and special‑use criteria. He noted the proposed stacking distance for drive‑through lanes is 120 feet, exceeding the 100‑foot standard in the code, and staff recommended approval.
Jack Marshall of BDG Architects described site details: the building footprint, a bypass lane to maintain emergency access, preserved trees and increased buffers, bike racks and a single EV charger, and a demolition permit for the former Lorenzo’s Italian restaurant. "We're saving the trees along Coconut Creek. We're increasing the buffer along there," Marshall said.
Commission discussion focused on drive‑through lane widths. Several commissioners said 10‑foot lanes — the bank’s standard and within code — feel tight for some vehicles and suggested an 11‑ or 12‑foot minimum might be safer and more user friendly. Staff and the applicant said increasing lane widths would require sacrificing other elements (or a variance) because a 5‑foot landscape strip is a minimum requirement and emergency‑vehicle circulation depends on the current layout. No change to the plans was required to obtain approval.
Both resolutions (special land use and site plan) were approved by unanimous roll call. Commissioners asked staff to consider whether a future code update should set a larger minimum drive‑through lane width.
What to watch: permitting and construction timing will follow; staff will record final permit documents and the demolition and construction schedule.
