A proposal that would prevent banks and financial institutions from occupying the first floor of downtown Naperville buildings without a zoning variance cleared the Naperville Planning and Zoning Commission this week.
The set of zoning code amendments reviewed Wednesday by the commission prohibit both uses below the second floor in the B4 Downtown Core zoning district.
They would make the rules more restrictive for banks, which currently are allowed on the ground level downtown, and keep the regulations consistent for financial services businesses, which must locate on the second floor or above unless granted permission through a variance.
Naperville City Council members asked staff last month to prepare ordinance amendments, and they are now headed to them for final approval.
The idea of further regulating the location of banks in the city’s commercial core came up during the Feb. 4 council meeting. Plans for a bank and an investment company to occupy parts of the former Barnes & Noble space at the prime corner of Chicago Avenue and Washington Street sparked discussion about where these types of businesses should be allowed.
Council members, in a 7-2 vote, approved a zoning variance for Fidelity Investments to move into a portion of the building at 47 E. Chicago Ave., which includes a first-floor space to serve walk-in customers and offices above.
The city also issued a building permit on Jan. 23 for Wells Fargo to build out a different portion of the former Barnes & Noble’s first floor into a traditional banking location.
Banks do occupy some first-floor spots within the downtown. And the city has granted zoning variances to other “general services” businesses during the past dozen years — including a dance studio and a furniture showroom — that allow them to also use first-floor space.
But Sara Kopinski, with the city’s planning services team, said staff members believe it is best to require both banks and financial institutions to get specific permission through a zoning variance in the future.
“These regulations are intended to maintain and support the development of a walkable, retail-focused downtown at the street level, consistent with the recommendations of the Downtown 2030 plan,” Kopinski said. “Staff is supportive of the proposed amendment as written, finding that it further promotes the retail and commercial tenancy intended for the first floor of downtown businesses.”
Commission members offered no comments during Wednesday’s meeting before voting unanimously to recommend that the council approve the zoning changes.
If adopted, existing banks and financial institutions in first-floor downtown real estate would become classified as nonconforming uses, Kopinski said. This means they must comply with zoning code regulations limiting renovations and expansions in order to continue operating.
Marie Wilson is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.
