Convenience store approved

Richard Tedesco

The Town of North Hempstead board gave conditional approval to Peter Petti to operate a convenience store at his Albertson Sunoco service station after the continuation of a public hearing at last Wednesday night’s board meeting.

The board voted unanimously in Petti’s favor over objections raised by residents who live adjacent to the gas and service station at 993 Willis Ave. in Albertson.

Attorney Scott Guardino, who represented Petti, said his client had agreed to the town’s stipulations to clean up the facility and add improve landscaping on the property.

“The things the town has asked for, we’ve agreed to do,” said Guardino, who said Petti had met with residents to discuss their concerns the week before the hearing.

Citing concerns about inadequate parking, Albertson resident James Masi said vehicles frequently block the sidewalk in front of Petti’s repair shop it. He said tires and batteries are typically strewn on the property. He also said that Petti had been operating a convenience store on the premises in the past without town approval.

“This raises a question about  what enforcement means,” Masi said. 

Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Jon Kaiman said Petti had been improperly operating a convenience store, which was being addressed under the terrms of the town board’s approval.

“We’ve brought them in to bring them into compliance,” Kaiman said.

Town Councilman Thomas Dwyer said the town has served summonses on Petti in the past.

“There were violations served on them in the last year and that’s why they’re here tonight,” Dwyer said.

But one Albertson woman who lives near the gas station also expressed misgivings about Petti complying with the town’s requirements.

“We should not be put in the position where we’re monitors,” she said. “What’s on paper is going to he hard to realize in reality.”

Guardino said Petti has brought the site into compliance with the town’s standards.

“They have cleaned this place up and they’re willing to comply,” Guardino said.

Residents also expressed concerns about late night sale of beer at the convenience store, which will be open from 5 a.m. to midnight. One resident complained that patrons of the store often urinate outside the bathrooms in the rear of the store.

Michael Levine, commissioner of the town Department of Planning, said alcohol sales are state regulated and the town had no rights to regulate hours for selling alcohol.

Dwyer said he wanted to see both sides to make an effort to coexist peacefully.

“I don’t want to any of you back here again,” Levine said. “I want to see the commercial and residential neighbors get along.”

Dwyer said based on Petti’s commitment to keep the site clean, he was prepared to recommend approval of the site plan.

Masi said Petti still keeps a dumpster in a parking space on the site, which he said violates town code.

“I’m looking for a fair hearing here, not a white-wash,” Masi said.

Kaiman said he intends to hold Petti to the commitments made to the town.

“They do have obligations,” Kaiman said. 

He asked residents to maintain “ a dialogue” with the town about future concerns.

After the hearing, Masi said the meeting Guardino said residents had with Petti the week before the hearing never happened. He said he had a brief meeting with Petti prior to the hearing and Petti told him approval of the convenience store was “a done deal.”

Masi said the town board members “don’t care about the residents.”

Share this Article