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Council approves Belmont Town Center amendment to allow Fifth Third Bank with drive-through
Summary
Belmont City Council unanimously approved an amendment to the 2014 Belmont Town Center rezoning to permit a 2,000-square-foot Fifth Third Bank with a drive-through on Outparcel E (parcel ID 225540) subject to modified conditions, including a sidewalk alignment agreed to by the applicant.
Belmont City Council unanimously approved an amendment to a previously approved rezoning for the Belmont Town Center that will allow a proposed Fifth Third Bank with a drive-through on Outparcel E.
Planning Director Tiffany Farrow told the council the amendment affects a 1.12-acre outparcel (parcel ID 225540) within a previously approved 33.16-acre development. The earlier approval allowed up to 12,000 square feet of office and retail; the amendment reduces the intensity of development by permitting a 2,000-square-foot bank with a drive-through, a smaller building footprint, and far fewer on-site parking spaces (reduction from roughly 56 originally to 13 proposed on-site).
Why it matters: The change adds a drive-through use that was not part of the original approval and required an amendment to the zoning map conditions. Staff and the planning board assessed transportation mitigations, pedestrian connectivity and consistency with adopted plans. Staff reported that required traffic mitigations identified in prior approvals were installed; the developer volunteered to convey additional right-of-way at the Stone and Southpointe Road corner to ensure sidewalk continuity.
Applicant comments and engineering data: The applicant's engineer said the proposed building setback from South Point Road is roughly 34.4 feet (and 35.7 feet from the other frontage), greater than minimum code requirements. The applicant's representative emphasized the bank would operate primarily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., which staff and the applicant said would produce fewer peak trips than a 12,000-square-foot retail/office use.
Council action: After public hearing and discussion about sidewalks, right-of-way, and future NCDOT improvements in the corridor, Councilmember Jason moved to approve the amendment with modified conditions (including the sidewalk alignment the applicant agreed to). The motion passed unanimously. Council then made the two required findings that the amendment is reasonable and consistent with the city's comprehensive plan goals for land use and economy.
What comes next: Staff will finalize the ordinance language and conditions for recordation and follow up on redline corrections requested by council.
