Nesconset Taxpayers Association Blasts Sonic Proposal

A proposal to bring a Sonic restaurant is being met with opposition by the Nesconset Taxpayers Association, a local civic.

"This is a poor location for a drive-in service," said Seth Weinberg, member of the group. "It's on a residential street that already has a fair amount of traffic and at an intersection with a fair amount of traffic. It will border homes, increase the noise and air pollution."

Weinberg said he speaks for the whole group in opposing the Sonic plan.

Smithtown's Zoning Board of Appeals is set to hold a public hearing on the Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Eugene A. Cannataro Senior Citizen Center.

The proposed site for the Sonic is on the corner of Middle Country Road and Alexander Avenue, located near the Smith Haven Mall.

An attorney representing Valley Stream-based Serota Smithtown LLC will present detailed plans for the , a 1950s diner-style restaurant its outdoor food service as an accessory use to its indoor seating, according to a Newsday article.

In the opinion of Weinberg, speaking for himself and not the Taxpayers, he suggests other nearby locations that would be a better fit for Sonic.

"If you go across the street where Checkers is [there are] four acres of undeveloped, commercial real estate that has no homes bordering it at all," he said. "It has access from [Route] 347, right near the mall."