Bellmore Residents Prep for White Castle Zoning Hearing

A Town of Hempstead Building and Zoning Board public hearing will take place tomorrow morning at 9:30 a.m. at Town Hall to discuss the zoning variance approvals being sought by White Castle.

The fast food restaurant chain is seeking zoning variance approvals related to the property at the corner of Sunrise Highway and St. Marks Avenue in Bellmore. A 24-hour restaurant is proposed to be built at the site. The variances relate to conversion from residential to commercial zoning and to parking, 24-hour operation, two drive thru windows, off street parking, a menu board and signage.

This hearing is the culmination of months of preparation by an organization opposing the construction, the Bellmore Preservation Group. With over 100 residents and business owners on their side, the group plans on delivering their case with an attorney's help.

"We had our final meeting...with the attorney to go over our case and while we have invested a lot of time, money and effort into our opposition, the case hinges on all of your support," Eileen Casazza, a Bellmore Preservation Group member said on the Facebook page ,"Bellmore Residents Who Say No to White Castle."

Casazza lives across from the proposed site with her husband, Joe and their children. She and other residents believe a White Castle restaurant would dramatically increase traffic and congestion, and noise levels in the neighborhood near many of their homes, and become an avenue for loitering, devalue homes in the area, among other things.

Those who wish to comment on this case but cannot attend the hearing may fill out an online form. The case number is 1030 through 1035 and 1378.