SunTrust Bank has proposed to build a new structure at the corner of Walker Road and Columbine Street, the site of the current farmers' market. The bank is seeking a drive-thru component requiring the approval of Fairfax County. The Fairfax County Planning Commission held a public hearing on the bank’s application on June 29. The Board of Supervisors will ultimately have to vote on the measure.

At its meeting, the Planning Commission heard public comments from several citizens including GFCA representatives who expressed a range of concerns about the latest building design. In order to work to address these, the Planning Commission deferred action on the approval at the meeting. Planning Commission hearings are televised live on their website and also recorded for viewing later; those interested in watching this hearing or any of their proceedings, can visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/planning.

GFCA has discussed the proposed structure with SunTrust on several occasions, and GFCA's Land Use and Zoning Committee held a public meeting with the bank's representatives on April 18, where residents commented on the plans and made suggestions. Subsequently, the GFCA Executive Board wrote to the bank with a list of changes that the board felt would make the new structure more compatible with the Village Centre, of which it will be a part. SunTrust Bank, which has operated in Great Falls for many years at other locations, has generally been open to these community suggestions. In the past month, Suntrust has agreed to slightly reduce the size of the building, move parking spaces so the two large oaks in front can be retained, add new landscaping features and alter certain architectural features to make the north side of the building – at the entrance to the Village Centre – more attractive than in the original plans. Earlier, the bank also agreed to change the roofline and use exterior materials more in keeping with surrounding buildings.

GFCA continues to meet with bank representatives and hopes to reach agreement with the bank before the Planning Commission hearing.

Great Falls Citizens Association