Missed deadlines may push back Harley-Davidson hearing

An application for a Harley-Davidson dealership is still making waves in New Hyde Park.

Though the initial October public hearing is set to be continued in two weeks, that appears increasingly unlikely, Mayor Robert Lofaro said at a recent board meeting.

“There’s still a fair amount of work that needs to be done by both the village and the applicant,” Lofaro said. “I don’t know that everyone will be ready with all their experts.”

In October, the board of trustees recommended that both the village and the applicant — Amir Jarrah of Life Long Cycles Inc. — consult traffic, sound and real estate experts for discussion at the scheduled Dec. 15 public hearing.

In late October, it also unanimously passed a new ordinance requiring Jarrah to submit a $10,000 deposit to cover fees for the village’s consultants.

“It shouldn’t be the village that should bear the expenses,” Lofaro said. “We’re quick learners and we’ll make the adjustments we need to.”

Lofaro added that Jarrah has yet to submit a deposit and that the village has not contracted any experts.

The project’s architect, John Notaro, of Glen Head, said a deposit would be submitted “imminently,” after its experts are selected.

“We needed some expert witnesses, and the timing just doesn’t work,” Notaro said.

The showroom and repair facility, planned for 1324 Jericho Tpke., would be a roughly 16,000-square-foot, 27-foot-tall two-story building. Plans call for an 8,000-square-foot ground floor showroom and 6,200-square-foot repair shop in the basement. There will also be 1,800 square feet office space on the second floor.

The proposed site is on the same street as two churches, and is less than a mile from the Hillside Public Library.

Jarrah has requested a special-use permit for a motor vehicle sales and service center, as well as a variance from the zoning board of appeals for a reduction in required parking space size.

At Tuesday’s board meeting, a resident mentioned rumors that the applicant was considering a new location. Lofaro confirmed that the board had heard likewise. Notaro said Wednesday in a telephone interview that he did not have any information regarding that.

“We still contend it’s a very good project,” he said. “Our building and our use is directed toward Jericho Turnpike, and we think that we can mitigate any concerns that the neighbors have.”