Civic petitions against auto shop

Continued from Page 1 tion was adjourned to a later date after counsel for applicant Guillermo Ortiz, John Farrell, said he wanted to speak with neighbors of the property.

Auto repair shops typically perform services that can be taken care of in one day compared to auto body shops that fix cars after collisions and repaints them, which can take weeks, the civic said.

“Approval of this variance would set a dangerous precedent for Manhasset in the industrial use of Business B Zoning,” the civic said. “This owner may be looking to add the Locust Street Manhasset Park District lot and the Citibank property to expand his auto empire, further diminishing both the Business B and Residential zoning character and harmony experienced over the past decades.”

Additional issues the civic has with the body shop being in place include its location on the corner of Bayview and Locust Place – which is one block off Plandome Road – a chemical spray application facility they said was illegally installed and other quality of life concerns.

“It presents hazardous environmental, fire, mobility, and traffic conditions and is incongruous with the immediate neighborhood that is lined with beautiful homes where children and families walk and bike to town, to local schools, and to Plandome Road shopping,” the civic said.

The civic added the property’s current limit on parking spots is 12 and the application seeks to increase it to 17 which the business vastly exceeds.

There are over 140 signatures on the online petition. The next North Hempstead Board of Zoning Appeals meeting will be on Wednesday, July 12. A variance application for Schmitty’s Family Auto is not on the agenda.

Efforts to reach Farrell for comment were unavailing.