Discuss and consider making a recommendation to Town Council regarding a Site Plan application for a new Fifth Third bank building on an approximately 1.3-acre platted lot, described as Lot 5, Block 1, Gateway Park, at 3350 Belt Line Road, within Gateway Park Planned Development (PD) zoning district. Case 1883-SP Fifth Third Bank Site Plan.
Staff recommend approval of the site plan.
Applicant Angelina Markowski, BDG Architects, LLP has submitted a site plan application to construct a 2,400 SF, single-story, office building, Fifth Third Bank, on an approximately 1.3-acre platted lot; generally located at 3350 N Beltline Road, within the Gateway Park PD zoning District (Ordinance No. 2026-08). An accompanying PD amendment request was approved by the Town Council to add “office” use to the applicable Gateway Park PD-Concept Plan Pad Site #8 on September 14, 2026. The proposed bank site plan and use complies with the Gateway Park PD concept plan.
Proposed Development:
Site Layout and Details
The Gateway Park site has been subdivided into nine lots, described as Lots 1R1, 1R2, 1R3, 2R1, 2R2, 2R3, 3R, 4, and 5, Block 1, Gateway Park. The proposed Fifth Third Bank will be located on vacant Lot 5, immediately north of the newly constructed signalized intersection within Gateway Park development. The bank building will face N Belt Line Road and will be accessed through two driveways. Connection from the existing drive approach at the traffic light will provide main access to the site. A second driveway exiting the site towards north will connect through the Tom Thumb parking lot and the overall Tom Thumb retail site.
Parking
Total 15 parking spaces are proposed for the 2,400-SF bank building that are located infront of the site along Belt Line Road. Two drive-through lanes are proposed along the east and north sides of the building to provide ATM and after hour automated service. One parking space per 400 SF of floor area for bank use, two stacking space per ATM lane, and three stacking space per bank window service lane is required per Sunnyvale UDO. The proposed bank site plan and drive through ATM/service lanes meets the UDO minimum parking and stacking requirements.
| Proposed Use | Required Parking | Proposed Parking |
| Bank - 2,400 SF (1:300) | 6 | 15 (1 ADA) |
| ATM - Drive through lanes (2) | 3 x 2 stacking | 6 stacking spaces |
Landscaping
The subject property must meet the Gateway Park PD landscaping requirements as well as the Special Area landscaping requirements for Belt Line Road. A 25-ft landscape buffer is required along Belt Line Road, along with a two-to six-foot low meandering berm. One shade tree per 40 linear feet and one ornamental tree per 25 linear feet of street frontage is required. Interior parking lot landscaping is required in addition to the landscape buffer.
The following table summarizes proposed landscaping for this site.
|
Landscaping Requirement |
Provided |
|
Landscape buffer along Belt Line Road |
Yes |
|
One shade tree per 40 linear feet of street frontage |
Yes, 3 shade trees along Belt Line Road proposed, mainly Shumard Oak. |
|
2-ft to 6-ft low meandering berm |
Yes (2-ft high berm) |
|
Interior parking lot and site landscaping |
Yes, 1,059 sf landscape area is proposed within along with 3 ornamental trees. |
|
Rows of shrubs to provide visual buffer of parking areas and dumpster encloser screening |
Yes |
A 6-feet wide meandering sidewalk is proposed along Belt Line Road connecting with existing sidewalk infront of the Tom Thumb complex. The Gateway Park pad sites, as they continue to develop, are required to install sidewalks and trails to promote pedestrian access, walkability, and connectivity.
Building Articulation and Design
The proposed bank building design is required to meet the architectural standards outlined in Section 3.06.08 of the Sunnyvale UDO, including the Belt Line Road Corridor Special Area design standards.
Nonresidential Front Façade Entry Requirements
- A front facade shall be articulated and designed to present a distinctive entry presence, emphasizing the building’s entry point along the façade.
- Each building shall provide a sheltered entry.
e. Tripartite Building Design/Composition
- Buildings shall incorporate a tripartite building composition (base, middle and top).
- The tripartite shall be proportioned to the other elements of the tripartite and the overall structure.
The proposed building elevations meet these façade and articulation requirements outlined in the UDO.
Signage
The Gateway Park PD ordinance mostly follows UDO requirements regarding signage with few additional signage allowances that normally would not be allowed in the UDO. The applicant is not requesting any additional monument signs at this time. Proposed wall signs are shown on the building elevation, identifying the bank. However, separate sign permit applications and review will be required before installation.