BZA Reserves Decision on North Shore Farms

Editor's Note: This article was written by Chris Boyle.

The fate of the proposed Bellmore location of North Shore Farms is now in the hands of lawmakers.

The Town of Hempstead Board of Zoning Appeals heard from representatives of the owners of the supermarket chain on their plans to open a new store in the former Rite Aid Pharmacy building located at the intersection of Pea Pond Road and Jerusalem Avenue, which has remained vacant since 2002.

The representatives of North Shore Farms are seeking special exemption to a variance on the books that currently prevents a supermarket greater than 9,300 square feet in size from being established at a location when it is located next to a two-lane road.

However, many local residents have protested the decision to open a supermarket so close to their homes, citing possible quality of life issues that a food establishment of that size could cause to their community, including traffic issues.

William F. Bonesso, an attorney for North Shore Farms Holdings, LLC, stated to the Board that the Bellmore North Shore Farms location, if allowed to open, would adhere to all laws governing businesses and strive to be a good neighbor to residents.

“We are seeking an exception a special exception in order to permit the use of a supermarket greater than 9,300 square feet at the site,” Bonesso said. “It’s important to note that this is the only relief we are requested. The site will meet all required zoning codes and provisions, and it will exceed parking requirements. Also, my client is willing to work with the surrounding community regarding any issues they might have. I’ve already met personally with many of them.”

Bonesso called in a Real Estate expert, who cited various exceptions to the variance in question that have been granted exceptions in the Town of Hempstead, and a Traffic expert, who presented a report of based on traffic studies of the area and discussions with local residents.

The traffic report stated that, even when using calculations that were disadvantageous to North Shore Farms, there were a variety of different businesses that could cause much worse congestion and safety issues in the Pea Pond Road and Jerusalem Avenue intersection than a supermarket. Bonesso also stated that parking lot entrances and exits would be configured around this information to ensure an effective flow of customers both in and out, and that deliveries would be structured so as not to be intrusive on the supermarket’s neighbors.

Several members of the community attended the meeting to voice their opposition to the supermarket. Joining their ranks was Nassau County Legislator Dave Denenberg, D-Merrick, who recalled a similar issue at the former Rite Aid site when Western Beef attempted to open a location there amid similar public outcry regarding safety and traffic issues; an attempt that was ultimately unsuccessful.

“Saw Mill Road Elementary School is right there, there’s a little league there that’s become right active and the number of complaints that come to my office regarding traffic in that area have only increased over the years,” Denenberg said. “Residents are concerned that another supermarket has submitted an application for a special exception when, nine years ago, an exception was drawn because of study of an application for a Western Beef at this very location. It’s ironic that, nine years later, we’re dealing with another application.”

“A supermarket right at this location would have a negative effect on quality of life and traffic for local residents,” Denenberg added.

Lawyers representing the residents in the area opposed to the supermarket also pleaded their case, presenting traffic studies and other facts into evidence illustrating what they cited as a negative effect that a supermarket would have on the surrounding area.

After all parties had finished and all evidence had been presented to the Board of Zoning Appeals, Chairman of the Board David P. Weiss announced that the Board would deliberate over the facts and render their decision by mail to all concerned parties as soon as possible.

Patch will report on the decision that the Town of Hempstead Board of Zoning Appeals renders on the Bellmore North Shore Farms location as soon as it’s made available.