Residents React to BZA Sonic Decision

Many East Meadow residents are upset regarding the Hempstead Town Board of Zoning Appeals' (BZA) decision to for Sonic Drive-in at 1900 Hempstead Turnpike in East Meadow.

Spencer Hart, the franchisee who also owns the North Babylon location, approval for eight variance applications. These included special exceptions to install a drive-thru window and use a portion of the premise for outdoor dining, as well as variances for off-street parking. Additionally, they were asking for permission to install 24 menu board signs under two proposed canopies, install a drive-thru preview menu and regular menu board and install a speaker and confirmation screen system for the drive-thru.

"It's amazing how blind people can be," Bill Karavias, a Westbury resident wrote on East Meadow Patch's Facebook page.

Kristina Hollywood, who runs Mommy's Time Out along with Jen Cardone, wasn't happy to hear about the board's decision either.

"That's too bad," she said. "All I can say is, something great better be put there in its place because right now it's just an eyesore and to date nothing of value has come to East Meadow in a long while. I think Sonic would have been a welcomed addition."

"It's better to build more storefronts on East Meadow Avenue like the traffic isn't bad enough," added Dean Dinolfo.

This is not necessarily the final resolution regarding a potential Sonic in East Meadow. Sonic could still submit a modified proposal to the BZA for the property, which was formerly occupied by Rita's Ices, or they can appeal the BZA’s ruling.

"This is step one like in any good negotiation," resident Susan Weiss predicted. "Sonic will appeal or make the appropriate changes needed and we will be on our way to that ground breaking soon enough."

Hart's attorney William Cohn told Patch that he had yet to discuss the matter with his client, so he didn't have a comment at the present time.

Why do you think the Board of Zoning Appeals denied Hart's request? Tell us in the comments.