Residents sound off on Sonic

The possible arrival of a Sonic fast-food franchise has been a hot topic of discussion among East Meadow residents for months. The Town of Hempstead’s Board of Zoning Appeals has adjourned two meetings on the matter for various reasons, and the next attempt to hear the variance case is scheduled for March 7.

Meanwhile, residents have sent dozens of letters to the board focusing on the restaurant chain’s proposal. As of Tuesday, these were the totals: 68 of 81 letters expressed opposition to Sonic’s plan to build a restaurant in the East Meadow Plaza, on Hempstead Turnpike, and just 13 were in favor of it.

“I would call that a case with a high amount [of negative responses] compared to other cases,” said Richard Regina, secretary of the BZA. “It’s a heavily trafficked road, and I think community members are more apt to speak about those areas.”

People who live near East Meadow Plaza, who could be directly affected by traffic, had mixed opinions about a possible new Sonic. The Herald spoke with some residents who submitted letters or e-mails to the zoning board and whose main concerns were with traffic and empty storefronts.

Kimberly Davis, a 30-year East Meadow resident who lives on Albermarle Avenue, said she would like to see Sonic come to East Meadow Plaza. “I’ve never seen [that area] so dilapidated,” she said, adding that the restaurant might attract another business to the adjacent building, which has been empty for years.

Given the fact that Hempstead Turnpike is a six-lane road, 30-year resident Arthur Diehl, who lives on Rita Drive, is not concerned about increased traffic. “Sonic is very unique,” he said.

Ralph Schenck, of Nancy Drive, who has lived in East Meadow since 1961, said he has eaten at Sonics across the country. “It’s a terrific place,” Schenck said. “It would be so convenient. It would be great.”

John Katalo, a 53-year lifelong resident, shared his thoughts with the Board of Appeals after receiving a letter from Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray and Councilman Gary Hudes encouraging locals to get involved. “Why are they getting involved in someone else’s business?” Katalo asked, adding, “[Sonic] has got just [as much] reason to be there as anyone else. As long as it meets the criteria of every other business, they should be able to come.”

Opposed to Sonic
“I’m dead against it,” said 55-year resident Michael Pavone, who lives on Roosevelt Avenue. “There’s too much traffic as it is.” Pavone said his wife wrote a letter on their behalf because of traffic and safety concerns, calling Hempstead Turnpike “suicide ally.”

Nancy Widman, 57, who still lives in the house on Erma Drive that she grew up in, said she thinks East Meadow is looking crowded and dirty, and she does not want a Sonic to draw more traffic and loitering. “I’ve seen the deterioration of Hempstead throughout the years,” Widman said. “I don’t want an eyesore. I would like them to dot all their I’s and cross all their T’s.” She added that she might be “OK” with the location if the company keeps it aesthetically pleasing and controls the traffic.

Sixty-year resident Barbara Lacovara doesn’t have a problem with the chain coming to East Meadow, but she said the location is not good. “The congestion is so bad now,” she said. “There might be a better spot for it.”

“We’ve been here in East Meadow for over 40 years, and we’ve seen the landscape change,” said John Fucci of Avis Drive, who also spoke on his wife’s behalf. “We’re not against progress. We love Manhattan. I love 42nd Street, but it has its place.” Fucci said he is concerned about an increase in traffic and has to pass that location every day.

While some residents are focused on the potential effect on traffic, Claudia Scherer is thinking about her neighbors’ health. With the increase in obesity and juvenile diabetes, Scherer said, she would like to see a business that promotes healthy eating. She added that she drives to Merrick or Plainview to shop at healthier grocery stores, like Trader Joe’s, because East Meadow does not have a similar store.

“Fast food is something that we, as Americans, should not even be consuming anymore,” Scherer said. “Bring us Whole Foods, bring us Trader Joe’s. Put something in there that’s healthy; make us start eating healthy. I just want more for the middle class because we deserve better.”

The next step
Sonic representatives and East Meadow residents are expected to exchange views at a BZA meeting on March 7. Sonic has submitted a variance request for a drive-in restaurant that would include 24 drive-up stations with menu boards as well as a drive-through window. The meeting has been adjourned twice this year.

Regina, the BZA secretary, said that the chairman and six other members will read all the letters and listen to residents’ comments, but, he added, “Letters could weigh more heavily to one board member than another.  It’s difficult to say how it weighs.”

Though Sonic commercials air on local TV stations, the only Long Island Sonic is on Deer Park Avenue in North Babylon.

Featuring drive-in-style dining, the fast-food restaurant is known for its extensive menu of hamburgers, hot dogs and milkshakes.