Despite objections, Mount Prospect OKs bank drive-through

The Mount Prospect Village Board approved drive-through lanes and a parking lot setback for Ravenswood Community Bank, but not without some opposition from the bank’s neighbors.

Residents of Village Commons condominiums and other nearby properties expressed concerns about problems that could arise from the changes at the bank, 320 E. Northwest Highway.

But through a planning and zoning meeting, two village board meetings, numerous phone calls and emails, architects, bank officials, village staff and neighboring residents reached many compromises, said architect Jim Tinaglia of Arlington Heights.

Most concessions made by architects had to do with landscaping, parking and lighting, Tinaglia said.

Specifically, the bank agreed to put in a new six-foot tall fence and tall evergreens to help block light from shining into neighbors’ windows, as well as a “No Exit” sign at the easement between the bank and Village Commons to minimize traffic.

It also agreed to increase the parking lot setback from two to four feet along the north property line, and to put in concrete bollards along the fence by the west property line.

Michael Polanski, chairman of Village Bank and Trust, said a drive-through is imperative for the success of a suburban bank because many customers value that convenience. Ravenswood Community Bank will become Village Bank and Trust in mid-August, but the owner will remain the same as both banks are part of Wintrust Financial Corporation.

Construction will not begin for some time, Tinaglia said. The bank and architects must first complete construction drawings, obtain a building permit and solicit construction bids.

While not everyone was completely on board with the project, Tinaglia said he was pleased with the agreements that were reached.

“Certainly more people were happy in the end than in the beginning,” he said.