Vista Bank is seeking to expand into Rollingwood, but a location on Bee Caves Road where Mr. Gatti's Pizza used to be is not a certainty.

The outcome of the bank's ambition was made less certain at the Jan. 15 Rollingwood City Council meeting.

At issue is the fact that the city's current zoning ordinance does not allow for a financial institution at that location at 2802 Bee Caves Drive. As a workaround, representatives of Vista Bank requested a change of the city's zoning ordinance that would allow a financial business to operate in any commercial property in the city.

Vista Bank representatives also made a second request for the city to modify its zoning ordinance so financial institutions could seek a special use permit to operate in certain commercial structures in Rollingwood.

The Rollingwood Planning and Zoning Commission had the item on its Jan. 14 agenda, but did not take action. Because of that, council could only discuss the item at the Jan. 15 regular meeting with no allowable vote.

Even though no action could be taken, council held a public hearing on the request, during which William Milligan of the High-Line Group, which represents Vista Bank, addressed council.

"[This] is a community-based bank that is here for the community ... and will do whatever they can to help the community," Milligan said, adding he wanted to know from council if it would be worth the bank's time to ask for a special use permit.

During discussion following the public hearing, Council Member Wendi Hundley said she was hesitant at this time to allow a special use permit while officials are in the middle of a full-throttle examination of its zoning policy, to which Council Member Amy Pattillo agreed.

"We're just now getting this data back," Pattillo said.

Council Member Gavin Massingill said he was torn regarding changes requested.

Because officials did not produce a firm answer, Milligan said he will now bring up the Jan. 15 City Council discussion with the Vista Bank board, and from the city's vantage point the item will go back before the Planning and Zoning Commission at its next meeting.

"We just need to know if we need to pursue this any further or if we need to abandon it," Milligan said.