Queensboro Bank is planning to build a new location along Washington Road in Evans.
Last month the bank, headquartered in Louisville, submitted two variance requests to Columbia County for 4317 Washington Road, the parcel neighboring Slim Chickens that was once the site of the Tip Top Taps craft beer and growler store.
One request seeks a waiver to build up to 80, rather than the maximum 55, feet in height. Queensborough’s plans show a 5,980-square foot brick building with four floors and a rooftop patio.
In an addendum to the application, Queensborough insists that the building was initially designed to be 68 feet high, but it was increased to provide stair access to the HVAC equipment on the roof as well as to have space for parking while still having room for all the bank’s programming.
The other petition is to waive the maximum front building setback from the street centerline, from 125 feet along Washington Road, to 155 feet; and from 90 to 120 feet along Evans Towne Center Boulevard.
According to the addendum document accompanying the request, this is to accommodate the drive-thru, which would be at the rear of the building. This requires the parking lot to be at the front, and so, the document states, the bank is pursuing setback increases to avoid utilities and easements along both right of ways at the site.
Queensborough purchased the property, neighboring its Evans branch location just across Evans Towne Center Boulevard, in 2021. It has three other Columbia County branches, two in Martinez on Columbia Road and Furys Ferry Roads, and one in Grovetown on Wrightsboro Road.
The Columbia County Planning Commission is scheduled to consider both variance requests during its meeting on Aug. 7.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering business for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
