7-Eleven threatens village character

The Island Now

I moved to the Old Village twenty years ago for its beautiful tree-lined streets and family-friendly character. That character has been maintained, in part, by zoning laws. The owner of the property on Middle Neck and Steamboat roads is asking for six variances from the zoning laws passed by the Village of Great Neck Board of Trustees. The variances requested include:

-hours of operation to allow a 7-Eleven store to be open all night

-permission to maintain a container for garbage in the front yard

-permission to have non-residential parking where now none exists

-no fencing, buffer or landscaping between the commercial and adjacent residential properties

There is evidence that when a 7-Eleven is built in a neighborhood, often, crime and loitering in the area increases. I expect that families walking home past Steamboat and Middle Neck after Friday night dinner with family or friends will encounter people “hanging out” in the parking lot of 7-Eleven, maybe having purchased a beer or two inside.

For those who need a convenience store, there is one a few blocks away next to the Old Village post office. Limelight, in Great Neck Estates, and Rite Aid in the Plaza are 24-hour options.

At the zoning meeting in June it was mentioned that 7-Eleven may provide employment to people in the community. I have learned that the company often brings in people to run the operation, regardless of community residence. In fact, I am concerned about the effect that a 7-Eleven may have on the business of Sweet Temptations, our local baker that sells coffee and cold drinks, and on Willie’s diner that has operated in our community for 35 years. 

Both are only half a block away from the corner where 7-Eleven is proposing to open. These are just two of the local businesses that will be affected.

The next zoning meeting is taking place on Thursday, July 12 at 7:30 PM at the Village Hall on Baker Hill Road. I encourage people to attend to hear how complex the issues are and express individual views.

 

Lisa Levine

Great Neck

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