Village of Floral Park trustees reserved decision Tuesday on an application for a special-use permit for a health and fitness facility at 8 South Tyson Ave. specializing in meal replacement shakes and cardiovascular health.
Floral Park Mayor Thomas J. Tweedy said that while Floral Park supported new business development in the area he had concerns about the safety of the facility’s clients.
“My concern is kids wandering into the street,” Tweedy said. “It’s a very busy street.”
Tweedy said he was also concerned about congestion if there were many people dropped off during the peak school dismissal time. The facility would be located adjacent to Jericho Turnpike with a dance studio and a school located in the same vicinity.
Theadora Anagastakos, the owner of the proposed Fit Factory facility, said no sessions would be scheduled when schools were being dismissed.
Training and nutritional appointments would occur early morning and late evening, she said.
Company representatives said while not a fitness center, Fit Factory would appeal to a specific clientele on strictly an appointment basis. Clients would meet with certified trainers and nutritionists and at the end of the session would be given a meal replacement shake, made by health food supplement company Herbalife.
“The owner envisions a community center committed to health and fitness of its clients,” Fit Factory architect Mario Vergara said.
Tweedy suggested that in addition to the peak training times, Vergara and Anagastakos work with the Floral Park Department of Public Works to install caution signs to alert drivers to the congested area.
Tweedy and other board members said they were also concerned about supervision of children while parents are engaged in training sessions.
According to Anagastakos, parents and children would never be on separate floors of the building. She said Fit Facility would also provide an area devoted specifically to child care while parents are meeting with specialists.
Tweedy also questioned Anagastakos about the age demographic that Fit Factory was targeting, saying it would be possible for children to be dropped off at the facility but then leave once unsupervised.
Anagastakos said the business was aiming for an older demographic.
Though the minimum age is 16, she said, the majority of clients will likely be adults.
The board said that they would discuss the permit application and come to a decision shortly.
