The Villages Operating Company wants to build a new Citizens First Bank drive-through facility at 1105 Caballero Court in downtown Spanish Springs.
The Villages Operating Company sought approval for the project Monday evening from the Lady Lake Planning and Zoning Board.
The drive-through facility would be located behind the Citizens First Bank on Main Street in Spanish Springs. The location is across from the former home of Villages Transportation offices. That grassy area covered by tree canopy has been a gathering place in years past for Villagers watching parades.
The Villages Operating Company owns that small slice of land and would be leasing it to Citizens First Bank for the proposed drive-through facility, according to Marty Dzuro of The Villages Operating Company.
The drive-through facility would not be connected to the Main Street Citizens First Bank building. It is anticipated that three-quarters of those using the drive-through facility would be in golf carts.
Planning and Zoning Board members expressed concerns about tree removal, traffic and the fact that Citizens First Bank has a drive-through facility nearby at Avenida Central.
The lobby at Citizens First Bank on 903 Avenida Central was closed this past October. That branch has only drive-through lanes.
Three members of the Lady Lake Planning and Zoning Board voted to deny the request. Only Planning and Zoning Board Chairman John Gauder voted against the denial of the request.
However, the Planning and Zoning Board acts only in an advisory capacity to the Lady Lake Commission.
The commission could approve the planned drive-through facility.
The project will go before the Lady Lake Commission on Oct. 6.