It's on to the Planning Commission now for a new Commerce Bank proposed for Chantilly. It received a thumbs-up, Oct. 16, from the West Fairfax County Citizens Association (WFCCA) Land-Use Committee.
THE BANK is to be a 3,400-square-foot building at Walney Road and Route 50 on the site of the existing Anita's restaurant. But it first needs a special-exception permit from the county for its drive-through window.
Commerce views it as a neighborhood bank to serve people within a two-to-three-mile radius. Featuring convenient operating hours, it would be open seven days a week, with extended hours on weekdays. And most of its interior is planned to be energy-efficient.
Main pedestrian access would be from the north side of Route 50. And motorists may only make a right turn into the bank from Walney. Commerce also delineated an entranceway to prevent drivers from exiting through the property next door.
The bank will provide a bike path along Walney near the adjacent Chantilly Cash & Carry. The bike trail will go along the west side of the property, with a pedestrian connection across Commerce's Route 50 frontage.
On Oct. 16, the WFCCA voted unanimously to recommend approval to the Planning Commission, subject to approval from county staff, plus certain already-agreed-upon conditions.
"COMMERCE IS to make improvements to the pedestrian grid at the intersection, putting in dash marks outlining the box within the whole intersection," said WFCCA Chairman Jim Katcham. "It will make a defined, pedestrian walkway."
The bank's red, LED lighting on the building's top portion will operate only during business hours. And Commerce is to actively work with the adjoining property owners should their parcel ever be further developed. The Planning Commission date is Nov. 7.