By Mary Malloy
Built in 1964, the eatery was originally known as the Golden Coach, then changed hands and became the Atlantic Diner, and was eventually renamed the East Rockaway Diner. It has been closed since last year.
"I'm thrilled to see an international company interested in coming to East Rockaway," said Mayor Ed Sieban. "It's a reflection on the progress being made in the village and the constituting of a new commercial business."
Sieban said that it would take time to work out the project's details. "We will have another public hearing," he said. "This is subject to the adoption of the local law, changing it from residential to commercial. There are also other covenants and restrictions, and then the board will review it again. This could be at least a four- to six-month process."
The existing building on the 21,241-square-foot property, on the southeast corner of Main Street and Baisley Avenue, would be demolished to make way for the bank. The owner of the property, Chris Psihos, is selling it to Main Rock LLC Developers, according to the firm's attorney, William F. Bonesso. "Main Rock is entering into a 20-year lease with Chase," Bonesso explained, adding that the property is currently split-zoned, with about 5,000 square feet of footage, in the southern section of the parking lot, now classified as Residence B. The current structure measures 8,000 square feet, and the proposed bank would be half that size.
Two homeowners who would be directly affected by the project are Marie Girace and Jim Drohan of Baisley Avenue, who have been contacted by Bonesso and shown the plans for the bank. "It has been a pleasure to deal with these people," said Girace. "They have been agreeable about my privacy and protection."
A wall ranging in height from 2 1/2 to 5 feet stands between Girace's house and the property. She has requested a more substantial wall to ensure her privacy and safety, and the developer has agreed to build it. "I think I'll have a good neighbor," she said. "It's sad that the diner is gone, but I think [the bank] will be an asset to the area."
Site planner Paul W. Anderson, an engineer from Professional Planning Enterprise, said the bank would have a positive aesthetic impact on the surrounding area. The lighting for an ATM would be focused downward to reduce glare, and no parking variances would be required from the village. There would be a combined entrance and exit on Baisley Avenue, Anderson said, and another on Main Street.
The new bank would be a brick, one-story structure, according to Bane Vujinovic of Toto and Vujinovic Architects. It would have a shingled roof, with wall-mounted signage on the building. "The lighting is designed so the site will be well lit," Vujinovic told the village board, "but focused down so that it will not be intrusive to nearby homeowners." A canopy would cover the drive-through window, an ATM and pneumatic transaction machines. There would be another ATM in the lobby.
Twenty-four-hour security cameras would be manned remotely by Chase personnel. "I look at the surveillance cameras as a positive thing," said village Trustee Irene Villacci. "It would really be a community service for the village."
Jeffrey Lazarczyk, a traffic expert, said the bank would have little or no impact on existing traffic patterns. There would be a no-left-turn sign for bank customers exiting onto Main Street.
Real estate expert Barry Nelson called the development a "win-win." "To have a national tenant ... and an aesthetically pleasing site ... will be a great improvement," Nelson said.
Besides the residences to the south, the property abuts a multifamily garage on Rhame Avenue to the east. To the west, across the street, are a North Fork Bank and a municipal parking lot.
"We are looking forward to seeing the property become a productive resource to the community," said village Building Superintendent Dennis McCabe.
Drohan, who lives at 18 Baisley Ave., said he is enthusiastic about the project. "After 50 years," he said, "we finally got it right."
Comments about this story? MMalloy@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 202.
