Mineola residents fight auto body shop

The Island Now
Thomas Pantelis, an attorney for the owner of Sagamore Auto LLC, speaks at Wednesday's Mineola Village Board meeting. (Photo by Kristy O'Connell)

By Kristy O’Connell

Several Mineola residents appeared at Wednesday’s Village Board meeting to oppose the establishment of an auto body repair shop at 371 Sagamore Ave., expressing particular concerns about air quality and increased noise pollution.

Julio Baharona, owner of Sagamaore Auto LLC, appeared Wednesday night to request a special-use permit to open an automotive repair shop with a spray paint booth at the property.

“Too much is going on over there,” said resident Maria Theresa Morgalis, who lives on Pennsylvania Avenue. She went on to describe loud disturbances from other auto shops in the area at 5 a.m. along with bright lights shining through the back of her home.

Ann Silva, whose parents also live on Pennsylvania Avenue, expressed unease about the air quality, saying that she feels the addition of another auto body shop will negatively impact nearby residents’ quality of life.

Silva said her interest in the application stems from concern for the wellbeing of her son, who spends a lot of time visiting his grandparents on Pennsylvania Avenue.

Several other residents in attendance also noted health concerns due to the already constant smell of paint.

Baharona’s attorney, Thomas Pantelis, emphasized that the auto body shop does in fact suit the present character of the area and that the premises has in fact previously served as an auto body shop for more than 30 years.

“Records from the building department indicate that the premises served as a light auto body shop between 1974 and 2011, at which time the premises was confirmed compliant with village zoning laws,” he said.

Pantelis also said the property is surrounded by several industrial businesses, including several auto repair shops along Windsor Avenue and Sagamore Avenue.

While Mayor Scott Strauss acknowledged the suitable location, he did have questions about assurances that could be offered regarding the effect that the spray paint booth might have on air quality.

“It’s important to remember that paint spray booths are much more efficient today and must meet EPA requirements for emissions, which are then reviewed by the Nassau County fire marshall,” Pantelis said.

While Baharona is prepared to comply with village standards, Pantelis said, it should also be taken into account that residents living on Pennsylvania Avenue are within the scope of an industrial district.

He also said that Sagamore Auto LLC is not a mechanical shop, and therefore will not produce as much noise as some of the other shops in the area.

While the board tabled Baharona’s application for a special use permit, it approved Peter Abrams’ request to establish a math tutoring center on Mineola Boulevard.

Mathnasium, a franchise, is to be located at 41 Mineola Blvd. and will serve as Abrams’ second tutoring location. The first is in New Hyde Park on Jericho Turnpike.

“I can’t think of a less intrusive use in that part of town,” Paul Pereira, the village deputy mayor, said.

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