Board of Appeals denies Sonic variances

The Town of Hempstead Board of Appeals voted, 5-0, to deny all variance applications submitted by Attorney William Cohn on behalf of Sonic franchise owner Spencer Hart on March 7, just one week after the public hearing.

According to Board of Appeals Secretary Richard Regina, Hart will have an opportunity to appeal to the State Supreme Court or modify the plan and start again with a new public hearing.

Cohn told the Herald on March 19 that he would not comment on the failed variances until he knows the reason for the decision.

The Board of Appeals legal team should have a written explanation of the board’s decision complete by the end of this week, said Regina. All interested parties, who requested to be notified, will be informed by mail.

East Meadow could be home to the first Nassau County Sonic if Hart continues to pursue Town approval.

Regina said Katuria D’Amato did not vote because she recused herself from the case and Gerald Wright abstained from voting because he was absent from the public hearing.