Pitch for 24-hour 7-Eleven gas station in East Norwich draws opposition
Developers are seeking to build a 7-Eleven with a 16-pump gas station at 62-61 Northern Blvd. in East Norwich, where a four-pump gas station is under demolition. Credit: Neil Miller
A proposal for a 24-hour 7-Eleven gas station and convenience store in East Norwich has generated opposition from neighbors.
Developers are asking the Town of Oyster Bay to approve plans for a new 7-Eleven convenience store, along with a gas station with enough pumps to service 16 vehicles. The request from 62-61 Northern Boulevard Corp. seeks a special use permit to build on a 1.3-acre property. It would replace a gas station, service center and diner.
The site is located near the border of East Norwich and Muttontown. A portion of the property had housed the Norwich Country Kitchen & Pancake House, and later, the East Norwich Diner.
Residents expressed concern during a recent town board meeting that the 24-hour proposal would trigger quality of life issues, including loud overnight car noises, loitering and increased traffic.
"People move here for the quality of lifestyle and we do not want to see that eroded," resident Susan Wylie said during the meeting. "We don't want to have some kind of a convenience store with a gas station basically impinging on what is considered one of the premier communities on Long Island to live in."
Judy Simoncic, an attorney representing the applicant, said the proposal takes steps to mitigate noise. Developers would install a green setback from the houses that abut the property and plant trees around the new convenience store.
Zach Chaplin, a civil engineer for the project, said nearly half the site will have landscaping.
"We’re creating a buffer that doesn’t exist today," he said.
Rob Brusca, a board member of the Oyster Bay-East Norwich Chamber of Commerce, called the site plan "impressive." Still, he asked the town board to deny the proposal because a 24-hour use "is effectively a non-starter."
Residents raised issues with the plan at a recent town meeting, including Sallie McNeill Rynd, an East Norwich resident who called the area "historic." She said "having a 24-hour business of any type would be inappropriate for the entrance to our beautiful hamlet."
Matthew Meng, the president of the East Norwich Civic Association, said the group "opposes any 24/7 business operation at this location."
Peter Cannizzaro said he was concerned that reckless drivers would use the 7-Eleven as a meeting spot to race one another — generating loud pops, revving and burnouts.
"Anyone in this vicinity is going to hear that," Cannizzaro said.
Some neighbors at the hearing supported the proposal.
Valerie Bagan, 34, who lives near the site, said the 24-hour aspect of the business "could be something that benefits our community."
She noted some residents don’t work standard daytime schedules and could use the convenience store before and after their shifts.
A proposal for a 24-hour 7-Eleven gas station and convenience store in East Norwich has generated opposition from neighbors.
Developers are asking the Town of Oyster Bay to approve plans for a new 7-Eleven convenience store, along with a gas station with enough pumps to service 16 vehicles. The request from 62-61 Northern Boulevard Corp. seeks a special use permit to build on a 1.3-acre property. It would replace a gas station, service center and diner.
The site is located near the border of East Norwich and Muttontown. A portion of the property had housed the Norwich Country Kitchen & Pancake House, and later, the East Norwich Diner.
Residents expressed concern during a recent town board meeting that the 24-hour proposal would trigger quality of life issues, including loud overnight car noises, loitering and increased traffic.
"People move here for the quality of lifestyle and we do not want to see that eroded," resident Susan Wylie said during the meeting. "We don't want to have some kind of a convenience store with a gas station basically impinging on what is considered one of the premier communities on Long Island to live in."
Judy Simoncic, an attorney representing the applicant, said the proposal takes steps to mitigate noise. Developers would install a green setback from the houses that abut the property and plant trees around the new convenience store.
Zach Chaplin, a civil engineer for the project, said nearly half the site will have landscaping.
"We’re creating a buffer that doesn’t exist today," he said.
Rob Brusca, a board member of the Oyster Bay-East Norwich Chamber of Commerce, called the site plan "impressive." Still, he asked the town board to deny the proposal because a 24-hour use "is effectively a non-starter."
Residents raised issues with the plan at a recent town meeting, including Sallie McNeill Rynd, an East Norwich resident who called the area "historic." She said "having a 24-hour business of any type would be inappropriate for the entrance to our beautiful hamlet."
Matthew Meng, the president of the East Norwich Civic Association, said the group "opposes any 24/7 business operation at this location."
Peter Cannizzaro said he was concerned that reckless drivers would use the 7-Eleven as a meeting spot to race one another — generating loud pops, revving and burnouts.
"Anyone in this vicinity is going to hear that," Cannizzaro said.
Some neighbors at the hearing supported the proposal.
Valerie Bagan, 34, who lives near the site, said the 24-hour aspect of the business "could be something that benefits our community."
She noted some residents don’t work standard daytime schedules and could use the convenience store before and after their shifts.
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