Politics & Government

Proposed Route 347 Gas Station Up for Public Hearing

Smithtown Board of Zoning Appeals to hear out residents on plans to build gas station on corner of Route 347 and Route 111.

Residents have the opportunity on Tuesdya night to voice their opinions on plans to build a new gas station station and convenience store on Route 347. 

Smithtown Board of Zoning Appeals will hold a public hearing on Bolla Operating Corp's controversial proposal to build a gas station and convenience store on the busy Route 347 and Route 111 intersection at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Bolla Operating, based out of Garden City, has filed an application to build a 16-pump gas station and 1,200-square-foot convenience store on the former site of the United Auto Repair shop and the adjacent residential house. 

The Board of Zoning appeals will hear Bolla's request for a special exception to permit the gas station and convenience store in a neighborhood business zoning, despite objections from Supervisor Patrick Vecchio. 

Vecchio was the only town board member to vote against the project in June, fearing it would generate traffic problems. He proposed the town conduct another traffic study based on the concerns of Smithtown Planning Director Frank DeRubeis

Smithtown Planning Director Frank DeRubeis asked town board members to reconsider approving the gas station plans calling it a "terrible location" for development, given its driveways would overlap with existing turning and acceleration lanes on Route 347. 

Bolla Operation has submitted a traffic study to the Town of Smithtown with its proposed plans, it did not adequately address this traffic safety issues, according to DeRubeis. 

The public hearing will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Eugene Cannataro Senior Citizens Center at 420 Middle Country Road. 


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