Residents air complaints about Taco Bell proposal

A proposal to construct a Taco Bell with a drive-through at 1939 Hempstead Turnpike is currently before the Town of Hempstead’s Board of Appeals, to the chagrin of many residents. A public hearing to discuss the matter is scheduled for Feb. 11 at town hall.

David Weingrad/Herald

Three houses on Marion Drive have backyards that border the proposed Taco Bell location.

David Weingrad/Herald

Eric Meyn, left, and Jared Jones, of Bohler Engineering, explained the site plan at the Jan. 22 community forum.

David Weingrad/Herald

Attorneys Chris Coschignano, center, and John Farrell, who represent Taco Bell, addressed residents’ concerns.

David Weingrad/Herald

About 40 residents attended a community meeting at the East Meadow Public Library on Jan. 22 to register their opposition to a proposed Taco Bell restaurant at 1939 Hempstead Turnpike.

David Weingrad/Herald

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A community forum aimed at answering residents’ questions and concerns about a proposed Taco Bell on Hempstead Turnpike last week concluded with participants deciding they would attend a Town of Hempstead hearing next month to try to persuade the board to deny the restaurant’s application.

Residents who live near the proposed site — a vacant building that most recently held a Zorns restaurant — have voiced strong opposition to the plan, decrying the impact a fast-food restaurant might have on noise, pollution and traffic congestion in their neighborhood.

Those concerns and more were addressed at the community meeting, on Jan. 22, hosted by the Council of East Meadow Community Organizations at the East Meadow Public Library. Attorneys and civil engineers representing Taco Bell heard scores of complaints from some 40 residents, most of whom live on Marion Drive and Bly Road, near the proposed site.

The biggest point of contention was the restaurant’s plan for a drive-through, which attorney Chris Coschignano said is a necessary component of the proposal. “The drive-through element of the application is essential to its operation in today’s world,” he said.

Residents have already submitted a petition with about 185 signatures of those who oppose the plan to the Town of Hempstead, said Liz Mignone, whose Marion Drive property borders the proposed site.

Taco Bell’s application, which is now before the town board, requests special exceptions to demolish the current building in order to build the restaurant, and to install the drive-through, a rear-yard dumpster and signage. The town must approve the variances in order for the restaurant to proceed.

The proposed location would replace the Taco Bell on Front Street, in East Meadow, said Coschignano, adding that the restaurant’s lease is nearly up.

An initial hearing, on Dec. 10, was adjourned by the town board when residents and Taco Bell representatives agreed to a postponement in order to hold a public meeting. The new hearing date is Feb. 11, at Hempstead Town Hall, at 1 Washington St.

Also representing Taco Bell at last week’s meeting were attorney John Farrell, and Eric Meyn and Jared Jones of Bohler Engineering.