Demonstrators Protest 24/7 Business Operation in Glen Head

Despite soaring temperatures and high humidity, about 100 residents of Glen Head and Glenwood Landing gathered this morning on the sunny southeast corner of Glen Head Road and Glen Cove Avenue to "say no" to round-the-clock business operation in Glen Head.

Passersby by waved and drivers beeped as the demonstrators expressed concern about the noise, loitering, and trash often associated with 24/7 businesses. Carrying signs with the messages "No 24/7 7-11," "No One Wants 7/11 Here," and "We Will Never Patronize," the demonstrators made it clear that they believe Glen Head is an inappropriate place for convenience store businesses that stay open all night.

The site is currently owned by Sunoco. 7-Eleven has expressed strong interest in locating a convenience store on the lot. A local developer is in contract to purchase the site, reburbish it, and lease it to a tenant who would operate a 7-Eleven store. According to the developer, the 7-Eleven company would require round-the-clock operation.

To express your views to 7-Eleven, contact Joseph DePinto, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Robert Cozens, Vice President, Northeast Division, at 972-828-7011 / 7-Eleven, Inc., Post Office Box 711, Dallas, TX 75221.

"Just Say No to 24/7 Retail in Glen Head" Rally Planned

Residents of Glen Head and Glenwood Landing opposed to the possibility of a round-the-clock convenience store at the southeast corner of Glen Cove Avenue and Glen Head Road plan to hold a protest rally at the site on Saturday, August 22, from 9:30 a.m. until about noon.

The organizers invite the participation of all neighbors who share their concerns about the noise, traffic, trash, and security problems that such a use would bring to Glen Head.

The site is currently owned by Sunoco. A local developer is in contract to purchase the site, refurbish it, and lease it to a tenant who would open a 7-Eleven convenience store.

Glen Head Says No to 7-Eleven

The intersection at Glen Head Road and Glen Cove Avenue, known locally as the Four Corners, may soon change—and not for the better in the view of the Glen Head - Glenwood Civic Council, an organization made up of six civic groups in the neighborhoods surrounding the intersection.

At a meeting with the Civic Council’s board and community residents, George Abi Zeid, a local developer and President of GAZ Realty, confirmed he is in contract to purchase the lot on the southeast corner of the intersection, where, until recently, a Sunoco station operated. Mr. Abi Zeid said his original plan was to refurbish the site and then lease to a tenant who would operate a 7-Eleven convenience store.

“If the deal goes through, this will be the first and only 24-7 operation in Glen Head or Glenwood Landing in living memory,” said George Pombar, President of the Glen Head – Glenwood Civic Council. “It will generate congestion, noise, and security problems that will have a negative impact on both the residential community and local business.”

The lot is presently owned by the Sunoco Corporation. The 7-Eleven company has targeted the site for a retail outlet, even though there are already a 7-Eleven and a Super-7 on Glen Cove Avenue in the City of Glen Cove within a mile of the Four Corners, as well as at least six delicatessens.

The lot is zoned general business under the Oyster Bay town code. “I was shocked and dismayed to learn that the town code does not contain a provision to permit reasonable restrictions on hours of operation in a general business zone,” said Patrice Benneward, President of the Glenwood-Glen Head Civic Association. “It makes me wonder if the code discriminates between quiet neighborhoods like Glen Head and major thoroughfares like Jericho Turnpike,” she said. “If it doesn’t, it certainly should.”

Residents have reacted loudly and passionately to the potential of a around-the-clock operation in Glen Head, circulating petitions that state signers will boycott all 7-Elevens if a 7-Eleven opens at the Four Corners. “We have enough trouble with trash and loitering when businesses close by10 PM. What is it going to be like if we have a 24/7 operation?” asked Glen Head resident John Dussel. “It’s the last thing we need here.”

Mr. Abi Zeid said he does not want to antagonize his neighbors and is prepared to walk away from the deal. “However, since 7-Eleven views the site as highly desirable, it’s likely that other parties interested in operating a 7-Eleven will materialize if Mr. Abi Zeid withdraws.”

Letters to 7-Eleven CEO Joseph DePinto and regional VP Joseph Cozens expressing Glen Head resident concerns have not been answered.

Community Meeting about Sunoco Property in Glen Head

THE LOCATION OF THE MEETING HAS BEEN CHANGED TO THE NORTH SHORE HIGH SCHOOL CAFETERIA

The Glen Head - Glenwood Civic Council will hold a community meeting on Tuesday, August 18, at 8 P.M. in the auditorium at North Shore High School.

The meeting will focus on the Sunoco property on the southeast corner of Glen Head Road and Glen Cove Avenue, where a local developer is in contract to purchase the lot and refurbish it to lease to an occupant who would operate a 7-Eleven convenience store.

Civic representatives have met with the developer and the Town of Oyster Bay, contacted Sunoco and 7-Eleven, and expressed opposition to 24/7 operation in Glen Head. Civic group representatives will report on these activities, provide brief updates on other issues they have been following, and solicit community input.

The 7-Eleven company has identified the Sunoco property as a priority location. The company requires its stores to operate 24/7 and sells more cold beer than any other U.S. convenience retailer. The lot is zoned general business, which permits 24-hour operation.

The Glen Head-Glenwood Civic Council, Inc., is made up of the Glen Knolls-Glen Head Estates, Glenwood/Glen Head, Harbor Hill, Hill Terrace and Todd Estates civic associations and the Radcliff Manor Neighborhood Association.

7-Eleven May Open on Sunoco Property in Glen Head

The 7-Eleven company, a subsidiary of the Japanese-based firm Seven & I Holdings Company, is interested in opening a 7-Eleven store on the Sunoco property at the southeast corner of Glen Head Road and Glen Cove Avenue.

7-Eleven requires its stores to operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year; the company sells more cold beer than any other U.S. convenience retailer; and Christmas and other holidays are the company's biggest sales days. Based on collective living memory, this would be the first 24-hour operation in central Glen Head. The parcel is zoned general business. The town code contains no restrictions regarding hours of operation under the general business zone.

There are more than 36,300 7-Eleven stores worldwide. 7-Eleven became a subsidiary of Seven & I Holdings Company in 2007. That same year, the parent company announced it would add 1,000 7-Eleven stores in the U.S. and has been delivering on that policy ever since.

The Glen Head - Glenwood United Civic Council has contacted the Town of Oyster Bay, Sunoco and 7-Eleven and met with the developer currently in contract to purchase and renovate the site. A petition opposing a 7-Eleven is circulating.

If you oppose 24/7 operation in Glen Head and do not want the traffic, new hang-out, and interference with local business that a 7-Eleven store would bring, let the 7-Eleven company know.

Joseph DePinto, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Robert Cozens, Vice President, Northeast Division, can be contacted at 972-828-7011 / 7-Eleven, Inc., Post Office Box 711, Dallas, TX 75221.

Site Plan Approved for Glenwood Landing Waterfront Apartments

On Tuesday, August 4, the North Hempstead Town Board unanimously approved the site plan proposed by Glen Harbor Partners for a waterfront condominium apartment complex on Hempstead Harbor in Glenwood Landing south of the Power Station.

However, an amendment to the resolution of approval proposed by Councilman Fred Pollack and approved by the board stipulates that public access and open space issues remain open.

The United Civic Council, on behalf of the six civic groups in the neighborhoods closest to the site, submitted a lengthy list of comments, questions, and concerns relative to site plan review and requested a response in writing and a follow up meeting. Many issues remain unresolved. Among them, a flood evacuation plan for the vehicles of apartment complex residents.

The Coalition to Save Hempstead Harbor also presented a lengthy list of concerns and comments.

Public Access and Open Space

The Glen Head - Glenwood United Civic Council requested that details regarding public access and open space be clearly outlined in a legally enforceable document, such as an easement or right of way, that runs with the land.

In response to the civic council's request for a wider waterfront boardwalk, the applicant agreed to locate benches in bump outs along the the public 10-foot-wide walkway shown on the site plan. The Coalition to Save Hempstead Harbor pointed out that the setback between the boardwalk and the bulkhead is unclear.

The applicant said the walkway would provide access at both the northern and southern ends of the boardwalk, there would be no gate, three public parking spaces would be located near the southern side of the boardwalk, and the complex's homeowner association would be responsible for ongoing maintenance.

The applicant said that a parcel on the east side of Shore Road will be "dedicated" to the town after cleanup. Presumably, the parcel will remain open space. There has been no public discussion about how or when the parcel will be landscaped, whether access will be provided, the activities that may or may not be permitted, or how access will be provided.

The civic council also requested that the town construct a canoe/kayak launch at the western end of Scudders Lane as soon as possible. A Hempstead Harbor Blueway Trail is a priority in the Hempstead Harbor Management Plan. The Glenwood / Glen Head Civic Association originally submitted the request for a non-motorized water trail in 2003 with Tom Halton, then a Roslyn Harbor Trustee, through the Environmental Legacy Fund, the town's environmental bond act.

The civic council also requested that the landscaping plan be revised to include more native flowering perennials attractive to birds and butterflies, including an area between the pool and patio and the boardwalk that is currently shown as a lawn.

Sewer Line

The applicant said that Glen Harbor Partners had obtained letters from Nassau County and the Village of Sea Cliff regarding acceptance of a sewer line to be constructed along Shore Road and through Sea Cliff, terminating at the treatment plant in Glen Cove. The town had previously said that all approvals are continent upon the sewer line.

In July, the Glenwood / Glen Head Civic Association met with Nassau County Legislator Diane Yatauro and representatives from the Dept. of Public Works regarding the sewer line. The county agreed to assess whether hookups for homes near the apartment complex might be feasible.

The applicant also said that the bulkhead would replaced, HVAC equipment would be located on the ground rather than the roof, and the elevator shafts would be located in a clock tower in the center of the roof.