Floral Park officials will continue reviewing a bid for a Taco Bell to open at an empty lot on Jericho Turnpike, Mayor Dominick Longobardi said Tuesday following a public hearing.
Several residents said they opposed opening the fast-food franchise in the village, claiming it would cause traffic issues and take business away from local shops.
The board adjourned the hearing and reserved decision.
Applicant Rajan Patiwana is seeking to open the franchise at 90 Jericho Turnpike, the site of a former auto repair shop.
The building would be 2,209 square feet and seat about 40 people. There will also be a drive-thru window, which was already approved by the village Board of Zoning Appeals, according to David Leno, the applicant’s attorney.
The Taco Bell would open at 10 a.m. every day; on weekends it would close at 2 a.m. and weekdays at 1 a.m., Patiwana said.
Traffic engineer Frank Filiciotto, with Stonefield Engineering and Design, said the Taco Bell would not cause a significant increase in traffic.
About half the traffic to fast-food restaurants typically comes from cars already on the road, Filiciotto said.
Most people will stop as they pass by the Taco Bell, and not necessarily drive to it, he said.
The applicant is proposing to create three curb cuts, one for the typical entrance and exit and the other two for the drive-thru entrance and exit. Cars would enter and exit turning right only.
There is a median in the street limiting cars from cutting across.
Peter Camp, a village resident, said the Taco Bell in New Hyde Park often has long lines of cars.
Filiciotto noted that the New Hyde Park location only has four spaces between the ordering window and pick-up window, whereas the proposed Floral Park location has six spaces between the windows – which he said is the industry standard.
Camp asked the board if it has considered if the impact the Taco Bell may have on local businesses.
Village Attorney John Ryan said the village legally cannot deny a business its right to open based on how it may impact other businesses.
Trustee Lynn Pombonyo said she was concerned the Taco Bell may cause excess garbage in the area.
Patiwana said garbage will be picked up between four and six days a week and the grounds are maintained by staff throughout the day.
Franchises are subject to regular inspections by Taco Bell to help ensure a clean premise, Patiwana added.
Other residents opposed the Taco Bell, saying there are enough fast-food restaurants in the village. Residents noted the recent additions of 7-Eleven and Wendy’s.
“I just think it’s a disgrace,” one woman said. “It’s changing, it’s changing and not in a good way.”
In a community Facebook group, Susan Kaye said “just what the area needs, another fast-food place.”
John Cardone commented on Facebook “Floral Park City.”
James A. Bilello said on Facebook, “Better than what’s there. Yum!”
Bilello’s point is similar to one made by Leno, the applicant’s attorney.
Leno said that the Taco Bell will improve and beautify the area, as opposed to the empty lot currently there.
Leno also noted that the lot is in a commercial area and does not border residential roads.
Reach reporter Rebecca Klar by email at [email protected], by phone at 516-307-1045, ext. 204, or follow her on Twitter @rebeccaklar_.
I donot eat much fast food and not sure what to say but new Hyde park has one that others mentioned I was with bob Rennes Ruth gronbeck as a gateway news camera reporter when Roy Rogers first came to now Wendy’s in fl pk village there was then as usual talk over handling of the trash pick up and hours done fast food windows cause gasoline autos idling how many volks realize this use how much waste of fuel costs on ones dinero air polution we have a society of lazy volks they waste fuel spend time to try and park as close to stores when it is quicker to park more away walk and get your shopping done even healthier for all as I did my business cleaning up the areas salvage park your auto walking around pick up big small or anything for money stop and go makes more problems using your automobile costing more to money costs owning using it with the jerk we now have in the White House cost are going up then stupid volks will complain all is to costly there are easy ways to cut spend as most politicians government volks are your big dinero wasters then as they complain needing more money our taxes go up besides our automobiles are to big over powered to go nowhere in a hurrry on over crowed roads highways we are most of us very wasteful society yes true we have 7 11 and others but I don’t like dislike it not sure tho I recall since born in Mineola nassau hospital may 9 1946 more outside areas to enjoy life with families amigos more enjoyable driving on less traffic malls shopping are closing cars automobiles cost going up to what homes were priced when I was real young now who can buy cars besides high interest son loans plus home loans some work 2 jobs recall when not open sundays as in church I learned on Sunday god rested some businesses are needed seven days a week fire cops ems remember a lot of cops shootings or being there is for a reason volks no matter who it is should never do anything where polize are called to I never 1950 1960s school daze saw so many drugs or mass murders or crime we had it now much worse I repeat some only care how much money they get from you I only love the simple life dating as I do have done now I hear tulip avenue has no more fl pk florist jay Becker died butter baker went bigger I cannot wait to see all in area new or otherwise some of this I repeated from past comments as l now say for those who know or donot I am still at the grand nursing home until I can not say forever or who knows I donot I have no say only an opinion of things allowed business or use of ones property on this at one village board meeting when my dad was trustee Ralph gode we had residents 100x crowding village hall or outside to past Methodist church over 1000 because of what to do or not on their property otherwise at meeting half empty I also feel we should eat healthier it was nicer when we had better quality products this is long somewhat but I thing not all will agree with everyone also taxes for fl pk I have always supported our ems fire polize personal paid or volunteer they never will get the thanks they deserve for what they do 24 hours 365daze yearly I hope someday I could come back to my hometown and help out as I did before my 2014 January stroke that was not as bad as some are I am very aware of changes business come go volks retire or more thank you as asked when once or so I come to Fll pk from Whitestone nycity I have been asked where I was there is good bad all over we have it here employees staff I had it trouble at my business I only see on I pad covert avenue fire growing up or as years back freelance news reporter camera donot ask what I saw three eight day fires car wrecks you only believe when there or photos of life can be what one makes of it or your attitude I will be rejected it is taking chances as I did at a singles dance or business I could say more but adios for now
I have been this am June 12 2021 using this I pad to see new or old around floral park nassau county best if my senorita amigo drives me around to see better as we did in the past we saw around manhassett bay many years growing up in that area boating fishing or more outdoor concerts now for those who know me or not I am still at the grand nursing home Whitestone ny city maybe 15 months stuck in room 228 well last two Wednesdays was I could go outside where we have first floor patio bar b que or bingo game I need badly orthopedics I am not well tho use toilet ok am stiff in out of bed bad worse is left shoulder wrist hand elbow is ok looks it on elbow I d try more tho not sallowed to go out visitors or anymore until who knows senorita is worried about me I am not sure to drive an automobile never forget how my amigos vw club of Long Island I am honorary member now one of oldest 1998 year started very nice volks are worried I see on this I pad what is going on in my floral park village hometown if I had her visitor we d go around say hello to volks or see things more of than using I pad seen is no more communities weekly newspapers I use to be freelance camera reporter for the gateway was the best I have seen others not as nice I did more news of places villages so volks new who or what was not so much crap politics or else it was news mainly if as I see it I can not get proper care rehabilitation from small stroke 2014january ex employee did the best on his heart north shore hospital manhassett same for Ralph gode stroke there then what could I say what good is a community paper if no locos news happenings or fire my dad did or fl pk polize behind the badge before I say adios amigos or who ever I never forget those who are nice to me American legion polize ems medics auto club senorita Linda Lang have a nice day if possible with all the mess going on in the world or usa thank you
Correction on my comments Albert trasolini ex employee I mean local news not all stories on whatever else or only volks businesses am I very bad health well I walk but not so great toilet fine my neck left side so so back stiff body use only right hand left side hand well dressing somewhat ok or bad