Now that the area of Route 29 and Monument Drive in Fair Lakes has lots more homes and commercial businesses, Chevy Chase Bank has decided it would make a swell location for its newest branch.
It would be built at 11611 Lee Highway, by Village Drive and the Wegmans grocery store. And members of the Springfield District/Fairfax Center Land-Use Committee heard details of the plan, last Tuesday, Aug. 1.
Attorney Robert Flinn said the building would be mostly all brick, in a neoclassical style of architecture. "Our two, drive-through lanes would both have ATM facilities — which distinguishes us from others," he said. "[That way], people don't feel they have to rush to the bank before closing."
HE SAID IT would look similar to the recently opened Chevy Chase bank in Chantilly, on Route 50 west. It's planned to be one-story, 3,159 square feet, with a large atrium. Outside would be 27 parking spaces.
A transmission-repair place is currently on this site, and the new bank would be about 1,000 square feet smaller than it. Furthermore, said Flinn, "Now, there's sparse landscaping. But we propose a 70-foot, landscaped area between the parking and the nearest residence, and a 6-foot wall."
He said bank representatives have spoken with residents of the neighboring Leehigh Village and Estates at Leewood, and they're happy with the changes proposed. And, added Flinn, "At [Fairfax] County's request, we put in a rain garden [on our plan] to supplement the stormwater management."
He explained that the county's Comprehensive Plan currently calls for a grade-separated interchange there, with Route 29 someday going under Monument. "So staff asked us to dedicate roadway for the interchange, so we did," said Flinn. "There's no funding or formal design, but we accommodated them."
He noted as well that — since the bank plans to consolidate two lots for its site — the property would contain about 35 percent open space. He said Chevy Chase would also provide a future, interparcel-access connection to Craven Tire Co. nearby.
Land-use committee Chairman Mark Cummings then asked why the front side of the building, with Chevy Chase's traditional columns, would be facing Route 29, rather than Village Drive. Flinn said it was at staff's request and "also because of the extent of the road dedication and the interparcel access. [But] we'll still have visibility from Route 29 and Monument Drive."
AFTER FLINN said the ATMs would both be available for customer use 24 hours a day, Springfield District Planning Commissioner Pete Murphy asked how secure that area would be. Joseph B. Pearson Jr., Chevy Chase Bank's vice president of corporate facilities, replied that there would be lighting under the canopy for customer safety.
Cummings asked if the bank could erect some "No Parking" signs along Village Drive because of school buses and other large vehicles that park there now, and Pearson said Cummings had a good idea.
The committee then approved the proposal unanimously. Next step for the bank is the county Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors. Chevy Chase needs to obtain a special-exception permit from the county for its drive-through windows.
After the committee's vote, Murphy addressed Flinn and Pearson and praised their efforts. "I'm pleased the committee voted to support this and you were able to work with staff," said Murphy. "It's an important part of the revitalization of Lee Highway. This is a good-looking building that'll replace one that's not. And I'm also pleased that you worked with the citizens to tell them what's coming."