A downtown bank has won approval to use a pair of public parking spaces to temporarily serve as a makeshift drive-thru lane.

Commissioners Tuesday unanimously approved a request from Lawrence Bank to use two parallel parking spaces along Eighth Street for 18 to 24 months while the bank waits for its new bank building to be constructed at Ninth and New Hampshire streets.

“This will really help the bank’s customers who are used to a drive-thru now,” said Paul Werner, a Lawrence architect for the project. “The concept really is, a teller will come out the front door and pick up a deposit and come back in.”

Previously, Downtown Lawrence Inc. had expressed concerns about the proposed use of the parking spaces. But bank leaders agreed to change the wording on the sign that will be placed next to the parking stalls. The sign will make it clear that the parking spaces only will be for the use of the bank during bank hours from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.

The agreement with the city also would allow for a canopy to temporarily be installed over the parking spaces, if the design meets the appropriate downtown design guidelines.

In other business, commissioners:

• Unanimously approved a special residents-only parking zone for a small stretch of Edgehill Road in the Oread neighborhood. Commissioners agreed that a pilot project that allows for two parking spaces for the use of the owners of 1647 and 1649 Edgehill Road had worked well. The residents of the home have city-issued permits that allow them to use those spaces. Commissioners on Tuesday agreed to end the pilot project and make the arrangement permanent.

• Recognized the city’s upcoming 160th birthday, which is on Thursday. Commissioners handed out cupcakes to everyone in the crowd.