Preservation group plans opposition to White Castle

Nearly 100 people turned out on Monday for a meeting of the Bellmore Preservation Group to plan opposition a proposed White Castle at St. Mark's Avenue and Sunrise Highway. Members of the group, which met at the Bellmore United Methodist Church, said they will to attend a Feb. 10 Town Board of Zoning Appeals hearing to stand against White Castle's request for a zoning variance.

Eileen Casazza, who has opposed the 24-hour restaurant since first learning about it in September, reminded residents that a large presence was needed at the town hearing next Wednesday.

"Our strong head count, this is what we need on the 10th," she said.

Standing alongside Casazza was Bellmore United Methodist Trustee Rick Boyko. Boyko, whose wife teaches at the United Methodist nursery school, said he worries that a fast-food restaurant would bring heavy traffic and endanger the young children who attend the school.

"I like White Castle once in a while, but I don't crave it here," he said.

Nassau County Legislator Dave Denenberg, a Democrat from Merrick, who said he has opposed the White Castle since September, also attended. He praised the unique character of Bellmore and said that allowing a fast-food restaurant could bring down local home values.

"It really is the best investment you can make, because let's face it, for all of us in this room, your home is your number one investment," he said.

To construct the restaurant, White Castle would have to raze three homes, one a 98-year-old house that once served as United Methodist's parsonage, as well as the 40-year-old Wicks Auto Collision. The drive-through exit from the restaurant would let out on St. Mark's Avenue, a quiet residential block. Its main entrance would be on Sunrise Highway.

Thomas Pantelis, an attorney in Mineola who represents White Castle, said in an earlier interview that the "format" for the chain is an all-hours operation. "The standard model is 24 hours," he said. Residents had requested that the eatery shut down by midnight. Closing in the middle of the night, Pantelis said, "is not something that we could reasonably agree to."

The chain, he said, is in contract to purchase the three homes and the site of Wicks Auto. Final sale of the properties is contingent on the town’s approval for the corporation to move ahead with construction plans. Pantelis estimated that White Castle would need a year to build the restaurant from the time construction permits are issued.

"White Castle is interested in working with the community in addressing their concerns, at the same time [it opens] a location that will serve customers in this area," Pantelis said.

The Town Board of Zoning Appeals is set to hear from both residents and White Castle at 9:30 am on Feb. 10 at Town Hall.

Scott Brinton contributed to this story.

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