Design Review Board approves Georgia Skyline Bank site plan, elevations and landscape; retaining‑wall enhancement deferred

The City of Alpharetta Design Review Board on Sept. 19 approved the site plan, photometric plan and building elevations for Georgia Skyline Bank’s proposed corporate headquarters at the Mansell Road and Old Roswell Road intersection, and approved the project’s landscape plan with conditions. A separate decision on aesthetic enhancements to a prominent concrete retaining wall at the corner was deferred for later submission.

Board votes were unanimous on all actions taken at the meeting: site plan approval (DRB250033), site lighting approval, elevation/materials approval and landscape approval each passed 6-0; the board voted 6-0 to defer a decision on the retaining/retention wall improvement and railing.

Project overview and staff summary: Architect Chris Nardone and project team members presented a traditional brick building with a drive‑through, a two‑lane drive area (one staffed teller lane and one ATM), employee parking, and underground stormwater detention and bioretention required by city code. The applicant said existing fuel tanks on the property will be removed and environmental mitigation completed by the current owner prior to Georgia Skyline Bank’s purchase.

Staff and the applicant discussed a large concrete roadside wall at the Mansell/Old Roswell intersection. The transcript records differing references to ownership and maintenance responsibility for that wall (it was identified during discussion both as a DOT wall and as under city/public works oversight). Because the wall is highly visible from the intersection, the zoning/variance process required at minimum that it be painted and that landscaping cascade over the top; the applicant said it intends to evaluate additional treatments — such as a thin‑set brick veneer or a stone veneer — and will provide a follow‑up proposal. The board deferred final approval of the wall enhancement and any railing removal to allow the applicant time to present detailed options and a cost estimate.

Landscaping and site conditions: The landscape plan includes understory and overstory street trees compatible with nearby plantings, two bioretention areas to meet stormwater requirements, screening for ground‑mounted mechanical equipment and a double hedge row to screen headlights. The board directed the applicant to consider additional evergreen cascading plants at the top of the roadside wall, respacing some street trees for visual symmetry, and filling in the corner planting at Mansell and Old Roswell. The board also required that the approved landscaping be irrigated.

Architectural conditions: The board asked that visible front downspouts be moved to building sides, that wall‑pack security lights at the rear be replaced with decorative sconces that match the building character (with final approval by staff), and that the drive‑through underside use indirect/soffit lighting rather than direct point sources. The applicant agreed to locate condensers and mechanical screening behind low knee walls and to refine canopy and column materials for durability in the drive‑through area.

Motions and outcomes: Site plan approval motion by “Mister Swing” (seconded by a board member) carried 6-0; site lighting approval carried 6-0; elevations and materials approval (including the canopy/soffit lighting and downspout conditions) was made by “Mister Rowan,” seconded by “Mister Swing,” and passed 6-0; the board unanimously deferred final treatment for the retaining wall; a landscape approval motion with conditions (including irrigation) passed 6-0.

Next steps: Staff will review and approve final canopy, lighting and wall‑treatment options once submitted; the applicant will continue coordination with city staff on bioretention, underground detention, monument sign placement and final exterior materials.