Geneva panel OKs Pure Oil bank drive-up plan

It’s OK by the Geneva Historic Preservation Commission to turn the former Pure Oil service station into bank drive-up lanes.

The commission approved the plan for the building at 502 W. State St. Tuesday night.

The three former service bays would become drive-up lanes for a bank that proposes to move into the first floor of the building next door, at 514 W. State.

The bank needs a special use permit for the drive-up lanes. The Geneva Plan Commission will consider the request, and a hearing date has not been set.

The preservation commission also granted permission to tear down a house at 12 S. Fifth St., behind the Pure Oil building, for parking and access to the drive-up lanes.

The commission’s approval was needed because the buildings are in the city’s federally designated historic preservation district. Its permission is required for demolition or significant exterior changes.

The buildings’ owner, Joe Stanton, had originally asked to tear down the Pure Oil building, which opened in 1937. The commission refused permission, and the city council upheld the commission’s decision on appeal.

The building currently houses a gardening store.