New Chase Bank Branch Building Approved

A new Chase Bank branch with two drive-through ATMS lanes will be heading to Fountain Valley soon. 

The Planning Commission voted 4-0 Wednesday night to finalize a proposal by Chase to construct a 3,433-square foot building at 9025 Garfield Ave.

The branch would take the place of an existing Shell gas station on the corner of Garfield and Magnolia Street.

Last month, the commission approved the bank’s request for the branch’s two drive-through lanes to be 10 feet, 6 inches wide, instead of the normal 12 feet required by city ordinance.

The original plans called for a 4,300-square-foot building but were ultimately altered to make room for the drive-thru lanes on the relatively small lot.

Commissioner Michele Jensen abstained from voting because she did not attend the June 27 meeting.

Commissioner Ron Walker told Mark Steinman, the Chase project manager, that Walker wanted Chase to make sure the drive-thru lanes match the size limit set by the commission.

“I just want to caution you that I'm going to be out there measuring those two lanes when you're finished because I don't want them under one inch of what we approved,” Walker said. “We went against staff recommendation and against city ordinance."

"I don’t want you to cheat that," Walker said.

Walker added that he didn’t want Steinman to think he was “picking on him” and that Walker had checked the size of other drive-thru lanes in the city before.

Steinman said that Chase had reviewed the city’s conditions and accepts them.

“I’d like to thank the commission for its approval,” Steinman said. “And we will watch the width of the drive-thrus.”

Steinman said the ATMs would operate 24 hours a day and that typical branch hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays.

The next Planning Commission meeting takes place August 8 at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers, at 10200 Slater Ave.