The village planning board has asked Key Bank to consider walk-up, rather than drive-up banking.

Representatives from the bank were at Tuesday's meeting to continue the planning board's review of their proposal to locate a drive-up automatic teller machine in the rear of a building at the corner of Chestnut and Beaver Streets.

Residents in the area have repeatedly expressed concerns about the plan — most recently at a public hearing last month. They cited increased traffic at an already busy intersection, pedestrian safety and lighting.

Tuesday, Ned Walker, of Walker Planning and Design, who was representing Key Bank, said they had re-evaluated the NYS banking law that sets standards for lighting at ATM installations and believed they could reduce the amount of light needed.

"We continue to refine our lighting design based on your comments," he told the board.

Some members of the planning board had looked at Key Bank's ATM machine at its Main Street location to get a better idea of the light level. They also looked at another in Oneonta.

"If the installation is anywhere near Oneonta, it's over the top," chairman Paul Kuhn said of the lighting. "I feel a little inadequate making a decision based on, 'it will be less than that."'

Walker said the board could use the lighting at the Main Street ATM as a benchmark, but board member Bill Rigby said it would be "over the top for a residential area."

Walker also suggested that the bank would be willing to reduce the hours of operation from 24 a day to 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Board member Joe Siracusa said he was concerned about lights and traffic and that perhaps a walk-up ATM with reduced hours would address some of those concerns.

Tom Adams, of Key Bank, said that his initial feeling was that bank officials would want to maintain the drive-thru.

He did say that a walk-up installation in the front of the building would be feasible, if the bank agreed to it.

Kuhn asked Adams to inquire if bank officials would consider the change to a walk-up ATM before continuing the review

"If they are willing to consider it, I'm sure we would like that. We have to see if there is a way to alleviate the traffic and safety concerns," Kuhn said.

If the bank will not go along with the change, the planning board can pick up its review of the current proposal during a future meeting, he said.