The Town of North Hempstead board delayed a decision at its meeting on Tuesday night on the application of Peter Petti for a special permit to open a convenience store in his Sunoco gas service station in Albertson.
Attorney Scott Guardino, representing Petti, said the proposed 334-square-foot convenience store for the service station at 993 Willis Ave. is “relatively small” and would not cause significant traffic issues in the area.
“Traffic generated by this use is well within industry standards,” Guardino said.
Guardino and Wayne Muller, a consultant with RMS Engineering, presented site plans and artist’s renderings of the station as it was planned to be remodeled.
Neighbors of the service station expressed divergent views about the addition of a convenience store to the business.
“He’s done a lot for the neighborhood. He keeps a clean gas station,” said Albertson resident Jeffrey Losquado. “I really don’t think it’s going to create much of a problem.”
He said Petti had spent a lot of money on upgrading the station, including installation of an underground system to monitor gas leaks.
James Meci, who said his residence is adjacent to the rear of the gas station, complained about noise generated by people using the bathrooms located in the back of the station. He said Petti has shown “indifference” to the concerns of his residential neighbors.
“They have not concerned themselves with whatever impact they have on their neighbors,” Meci said, adding that the station is currently “overparked” beyond “proscribed limits.”
In response to one resident’s complaint about the need for repairs to the sidewalk in front of the station, Councilman Thomas Dwyer said the town Board of Zoning Appeals had told Petti to replace the sidewalk at a recent hearing.
Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Jon Kaiman said he wants to see a more formal landscaping plan for the site.
“The goal for the town is to keep this property under compliance,” Kaiman said. “We are now on top of them. They are on our radar and that’s why we have them here today.”
Dwyer suggested continuing the hearing at a future meeting, and the board voted to continue the hearing at its Sept. 12 meeting.
In other developments:
• The board voted to schedule a public hearing on $4.8 million in proposed improvements to the Albertson Water District for Sept. 12.
• Albertson Civic Association President Edward Scott questioned the need for the board to appoint Jaspan Schlesinger as special counsel to the town for the court case challenging petitions recently filed for a referendum on the town board’s proposed $7 million renovation of the Roslyn Country Club facilities. The renovation would follow the board’s proposed $2 million purchase of the property.
“It seems like you’re challenging the voice of the people,” Scott said.
Scott said the town board could act to put the referendum on the November ballot and avoid the court challenge brought by Roslyn Country Club resident Jared Shapiro.
Kaiman, who has said he supports putting the issue to a vote, said he wants to let the court challenge run its course.
“We’re going to honor the legal process,” Kaiman said.
