Huntington Town weighs changes to convenience store rules

The Huntington Town board will consider more changes to its convenience store regulations -- this time as they pertain to stores in shopping centers.

In June 2011, the town board unanimously approved a code change that imposed new rules on applications for free-standing convenience stores, which triggered a lawsuit from 7-Eleven.

The new proposal -- which requires stores less than 10,000 square feet and located in shopping centers to have a minimum lot area of 25,000 square feet, according to town documents -- will be the subject of a public hearing in August.

Currently, there is no lot-size requirement for these stores.

"It basically all comes down to having the area to accommodate loading areas," said Anthony Aloisio, director of the town's planning and environment department.

The proposed changes are in a resolution sponsored by Councilman Mark Cuthbertson.

After the town approved new convenience store requirements in 2011, 7-Eleven sued the town, saying the regulations would "greatly impact 7-Eleven's ability to construct new free-standing stores," according to court documents.

Those changes were prompted by a town planning department study of existing convenience stores that looked at traffic, parking and delivery issues during peak hours, as well as comments by residents, the town said in a 2011 statement.

In a statement, 7-Eleven said it is "aware that the Town is considering legislation that would include new restrictions on convenience store uses located within shopping centers. 7-Eleven reserves any further comments until the final legislation has been made public."