7-Eleven clears environmental hurdle in GN

John Santa

The Village of Great Neck Board of Zoning Appeals concluded last week that the proposed development of a 24-hour 7-Eleven convenience store will not have a negative impact on the environment surrounding its building site along Middle Neck Road.

Following a more than three-hour hearing last Thursday, the village’s board of zoning appeals unanimously approved a “negative declaration” on the environmental implications of the Exxon Mobil Corporation’s project to rehabilitate the site of an abandoned gas station at 788 Middle Neck Road with the opening of a 7-Eleven.

“We’re not approving or disapproving the case,” Village of Great Neck Board of Zoning Appeals Chairman Dennis Grossman said. “We’re making an environmental determination.”

The environmental determination will now be sent to the Nassau County Planning Commission, which will make recommendations on the proposal made by Great Neck resident Kouros Torkan. Torkan is seeking to operate the proposed 7-Eleven on behalf of Exxon Mobil, Village of Great Neck attorney Stephen Limmer said.

“The board has simply made a determination that based upon the record at this point, it can find that if the application is granted, it will not have a negative impact on the environment,” Limmer said. “That doesn’t mean the application is granted. That doesn’t mean the application is denied, but it’s the next step in the application.”

Limmer said the 7-Eleven proposal could again be included on the agenda for the next Village of Great Neck Board of Zoning Appeals meeting on Thursday, Sept. 6. 


At that time, board members would have the opportunity to approve or deny the 7-Eleven proposal, Limmer said.  

“I don’t think anything will be done here other than utilizing an existing structure and enhancing it and fixing it up and keeping a sealed coffin, for lack of a better word, below it,” Grossman said of the project’s environmental impact. “That seems to be the general structure (of the proposal), which leads me to a negative declaration.”

The application to create the new 7-Eleven was received by the village in May.

It includes plans to operate the 24-hour convenience store on a 0.39-acre property on the corner of Middle Neck and Steamboat roads on a site, which previously housed a gas station.

Despite closing nearly three years ago, the gas station had been in operation since 1937 with the existing 1,965-square foot building receiving a renovation in 1970.

Attorney Paul Bloom, of Melville-based firm Harras, Bloom and Archer LLP., last month made an initial request for six variances, which he said would make the operation of the convenience store possible.

In addition to allowing for 24-hour operation, Bloom requested variances for parking and zoning at the property located at 788 Middle Neck Road. He also made a request for permission to place a garbage dumpster in front of the 7-Eleven.

Last week, Bloom added onto the initial variance request with his client’s pledge to plant what he said were 32 “fast-growing” evergreen trees as a further noise buffer on the project.

“I have attempted for five years to do something with (this site),” Torkan said.

And during that time, Torkan said he has received “no interest” in rehabilitating the site except from 7-Eleven.

“Whatever these people want to build, as long as it’s safe and adds to the community, please assist them,” Torkan said. “Please assist us to revive the community.”

“If you choose to decline this application,” he added,” 7-Eleven will go away. Nobody else will bring them back.” 

For the nearly 20 residents who turned out for last week’s meeting, along with the more than 50 who came to oppose the installation of the 7-Eleven during the village’s board of zoning appeals meeting in June, losing the possibility to have another 24-hour convenience store in their community may be a good thing.

Village of Great Neck resident Jean Pierce criticized 7-Eleven for failing to have a “good record” on safety.

Along with safety concerns, residents also were critical of potential increases in noise, traffic, crime and garbage associated with adding a 7-Eleven to their village.

Last month, village resident Parham Shaer also presented the board with a petition signed by nearly 120 people who he said are opposed to the addition of the 7-Eleven in their village.

“To be open 24-7 we have begun a slow eroding process, like water dripping on brick, eroding our quality of life,” village resident Jessica Vega said. “I beseech you, do not allow this to happen.”

Village of Great Neck Zoning Board of Appeals members Tedi Kashi and Victor Habib also questioned Bloom and Torkan over the need to have the convenience store open 24 hours a day.

“What justifies here, an after-hour operation, I do not see it,” Kashi said. “But, that’s secondary to the fact that it is possible to open a 7-Eleven that is not 24 hour because it’s been done before.”

Bloom said it is not customary for 7-Eleven to have security guards at its locations, or open stores that do not operate 24-hours a day.

But Torkan said he would be amenable to negotiating for added security cameras at the store and slightly altering his 7-Eleven’s hours of operation.

“I am a resident of Great Neck for over 20 years,” Torkan said. “I work and live here. I have teenage children. I’m very concerned about the safety of our community, what stores come here.”

Torkan said that concern is well served by his intent to bring a 7-Eleven to Great Neck.

 I have invested substantial amounts of money and made substantial financial contributions in attracting credit-worthy tenants to our community that can stay open, pay their taxes, pay their rents and allow us to have successful businesses on Middle Neck Road,” Torkan said. 

Let us know what you think by tweeting @theislandnow1 using #711environmentalhurdle

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