Panel approves site plan, design concept for new bank building
By JIM FAILE
Plans for a new building for First Citizens Bank in downtown Hartsville took a step forward Tuesday with approval of a site plan and design concept for the proposed structure.
The Hartsville Design Review Board approved the façade design concept, site plan and landscaping plan for the project during its regular monthly meeting.
The board still must review and approve the lighting and signage plans for the building and grounds.
The new bank will be located on the site of the old Pizza Hut Restaurant on the corner of South Fifth Street and Marlboro Avenue.
John Nichols of First Citizens said the bank anticipates work on the project to begin sometime in the fourth quarter of this year. The old Pizza Hut building will be torn down to make way for the new building, Nichols said.
The project has been on hold for several months.
Plans call for a portion of the 7,600-square-foot building facing Fifth Street to be two stories, with the rest of the structure one story, according to Brenda Kelley, planning and zoning administrator for the City of Hartsville. That is a change from the original design, which called for a complete two-story building, Kelley said.
The building will sit close to Fifth Street and will have a traditional urban look to it, said Glenn Ross, architect for the project.
The board asked Ross to consider making some additions to the building’s roof to break up its massive appearance.
In other business, the board approved new signage for SPC Credit Union. Two wall-mounted signs on the side of the building and a free-standing sign on the corner of College Avenue and North Fifth Street will reflect the credit union’s name change from SPC Cooperative Credit Union to SPC Credit Union.
The panel also approved proposed signage for Serendipity at 148-A E. Carolina Ave. and Wellness Boutique at 107 W. College Ave. as well as temporary signage and awning for the new office for the Hartsville Downtown Development Association at 149 W. Carolina Ave.