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Overcast Arby's submits final changes to proposed restaurant
Fast-food eatery makes adjustments to Bellmore neighbors' concerns
An application for an Arby's restaurant on Sunrise Highway in Bellmore was heard by the Town of Hempstead Board of Zoning and Appeals on July 28. The planned fast-food eatery would be located at 409 Sunrise Highway, formerly a Speedy's Muffler.
The BZA will decide the case in the coming months.
The case had been adjourned three times so that Arby's franchise owner, Thomas Clark, and his lawyers could meet with neighbors and area businesses.
William Bonesso, the lawyer representing Arby's, said that after meeting with the Bellmore Preservation Group, the two parties had "come to an agreement." Bonesso said that the changes he put forth came about "after meeting with the neighbors in response to concerns." The changes to the restaurant plan include:
•The menu board and speaker would be moved from a south-facing position to a westerly direction.
•A landscaped island would be placed between the menu board and homes to the south.
•The five parallel parking spaces on the south side would be removed.
An eight-foot-deep, two-foot-high concrete wall with a six-foot fence on top would be erected on the south side of the property.
•The dumpster would no longer be located in the southwest corner, but would be moved to the west side of the property.
•Outdoor seating would be eliminated.
•There would be low plantings on the east side of the property.
Bonesso also discussed the number of parking spaces that would be necessary. The board requires that restaurants analyze the amount of parking based on square footage of the plan as well as number of seats in the restaurant. Bonesso noted that with the drive-thru, the number of seats was a better measure for parking. With 66 seats plus employees, Bonesso said that he believes 19 or 20 parking spaces would be sufficient.
Bonesso also said that the hours of operation had been a point of contention. According to the most-recent plan, the restaurant would be open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Sunday to Wednesday the drive-thru would be operated between 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Thursday to Saturday the drive-thru hours would be from 6 a.m. to midnight.
