Bellmore Preservation Group Reviews Arby's Application

An Arby's franchise owner, his architect and lawyer met with the Bellmore Preservation Group last night to discuss the fast food restaurant's proposed building plans.

The proposed 3,900 sq. ft. building would be located just east of Sunrise Highway and Bellmore Avenue. It would be two stories high, with 17' being the tallest height, have seating for 66 people and 27 parking spots.

The applicant, Thomas J. Clarke, his attorney William F. Bonesso, Esq. and architect Dennis Flynn of Rosebaum Design Group addressed every single concern raised by residents in previous meetings.

• Outdoor dining has been eliminated, the dumpster location has been moved
• Drive-thru order board was changed; it was originally facing south
• A 6'-tall landscaping buffer has been added in between the drive-thru window and the rear property line
• A staggered row of (at least) 6'-high Arborvitae will line the back property line

Legislator Dave Denenberg, upon the request of several residents in attendance, pushed for earlier drive-thru hours. Originally, the drive-thru was slated to be operation until midnight every night. Denenberg suggested operating until 11 p.m. from Sunday through Wednesday.

"The difference between 11 and 12 is huge for working people," Denenberg added.

Clarke noted that nearby food stores such as King Kullen, 7-Eleven and Dunkin Donuts operate 24 hours a day and that he would take into consideration "what his customers want."

Another concern for residents was a 6 a.m. delivery time. An 18-wheeler truck will deliver food to the store once a week. They will only use the westbound-facing entrance to unload the shipments.

Joseph DiIorio, whose home shares a property line with the proposed Arby's, expressed that 6 a.m. "would be disruptive to nearby residents."

Again Denenberg requested a delivery time later than 7 a.m.

"You've made a lot of changes already and I appreciate that," he added.

Clarke responded that he was "flexible" and agreed to the later delivery time.

"My job is to satisfy the community and the people," he added.

DiIorio also addressed ventilation, citing a Merrick resident told him he was overcome by the smell of french fries from a nearby McDonald's on Merrick Road.

"There is no smell because of the catalytic converters we use," Clarke responded.

All conditions and restrictions agreed to by Clarke will run with the land, meaning if the property or store is sold, the new owner would have to adhere to the above mentioned stipulations.

"This will be enforceable by the town and neighbors within a 100-foot radius," Bonesso explained.

"You addressed all of the concerns," Washington Avenue Matt Walden said.

The next hearing will take place at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, July 28.  This case has already been adjourned on April 14, May 12 and June 30. The Board of Appeals is located at Town Hall, 1 Washington St. in Hempstead.