Fueling up on Rockaway Turnpike?

Concerns about a potentially significant increase in traffic in an already congested area, parking requirements and the status of a land lease led the Hempstead town board to reserve decision at its April 24 public hearing on an application by the Costco Wholesale Corp. to install three 30,000-gallon gasoline storage tanks and 22 gas pumps in the southwestern corner of its Lawrence property on Rockaway Turnpike.

Costco proposed using 163 of its 822 parking spaces to create the gas station. Should the application be approved, it would be the first of the seven Costcos on Long Island to add a gas station. Only Costco members would be able to use the station.

“Gasoline is something that 80 percent of Costco centers across the nation have,” said Uniondale-based attorney Daniel Baker, who represented Costco at the town hearing. There are 433 Costco stores in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, according to the company’s website.

The town board questioned the potential for added traffic flow and parking demand if the gas station were constructed. Costco’s traffic expert, John Harter, said that demand for parking would not change, as company studies show that at centers with gas stations, customers shop and also fill their gas tanks.

“Adding the gasoline station won’t negatively impact the area,” said Baker, who echoed Harter’s comments.

An environmental review was conducted and there are no issues with the site, said Susan Trenkle-Pokalsky, a town spokeswoman.

Though the application is not under his jurisdiction, Lawrence Mayor Martin Oliner has been involved in an effort to alleviate traffic problems in the area in the past few years. “It sounds like a big gas station, very aggressive,” said Oliner, who added that he will be looking into the application. “I think Costco is great. They do a great job with whatever they do. Whether they should have a massive gas station, given the traffic, is something else.”

The town board expressed concerns about the amount of parking at the store. With Costco looking to subtract 163 spaces, it would be left with 659 — 116 fewer than the 775 spots the town requires for a store of its size — and would need a parking variance from the town’s Board of Appeals. The Costco building measures 149,355 square feet, and sits on a 15.75-acre (686,000-square-foot) parcel.

Additional parking spaces could be created on a 3-acre portion of the property that is leased by Costco through an agreement with New York state. That agreement has expired, and Costco is now leasing the land by the month. A long-term agreement is expected to be completed in the near future, Baker said. Those added spots would bring the total to 915. Harter noted that even in July, the store’s busiest month, there is demand for only 682 spaces.

With gas typically costing 10 cents per gallon less at a Costco station than at a commercial gas stations, Costco members are expected to be in favor of the proposal. “I’m looking for cheaper gas prices, and I would use it if the gas was at least 10 cents cheaper,” said Teresa Plaza, a Cedarhurst resident and seven-year Costco member.

Added another member, Anat Kilot of Hewlett: “BJ’s in Freeport has it, and it will bring down the price of gas. Hope they open soon.”

The public comment period will remain open until the town board renders a decision. Residents can send comments to Hempstead Town Hall, One Washington Street, Hempstead, N.Y. 11550 or access the town’s website, http://townofhempstead.org, to email their comments.