Community Library’s $1,376,000 addition and renovation project has been approved by Sunbury’s planning and zoning commission.

At the commission’s April 4 meeting, library director Chauncey Montgomery said the expansion, designed by Columbus-based Design Group, addresses needs expressed by members of the community.

“Our patrons have asked for more meeting space, additional parking, quiet study areas, and a drive-through pickup and drop-off,” Montgomery said.

A 2,000 square-foot addition will be located in front of the 12,275 square-foot existing building, 10 parking spaces will be added to the library’s 43 existing parking spaces, and the main entry has been redesigned.

Sunbury consulting engineer Wes Hall noted that brick on the addition would match the original brick building, a metal standing seam roof would match the original, no part of the addition would be higher than the existing building, and all architectural elements would remain within the character of the existing structure.

“Basically they’re going to match what’s there,” Hall said. “There will be a little more glass at the entry, and a drive-through on the west side. A new, second curb cut on Burrer Drive lines up with the curb cut to the back entrance to CVS.”

Hall said all setbacks are well within code; new parking lot lighting will match the existing lighting.

“We did recommend concrete curbing,” Hall said. “They’re taking two trees out, but putting five back in. I recommend approval.”

Hall said that because the project is a renovation, it does not require Village Council’s approval.

There was a brief discussion about adding sidewalks to make the library more accessible to downtown Sunbury. It was noted that the project does have contingency money built into the budget, and that additional sidewalks would be a priority if there were money left over.

Montgomery said the project would begin at the end of this month and be complete by the end of the year.