Plans For Commack Hess Station Move Ahead

Plans for a proposed Hess gas station at the corner of Jericho Turnpike and Harned Road in Commack are moving forward.

The Smithtown Board voted 4-1 last Thursday to accept a report declaring that the site would not negatively impact the environmental standards for the area. If approved, the station will include 12 pumps and a convenience store.

A zoning change was approved in March 2012 to allow the store and gas station to be built.

The current building, a former Shell gas station that closed in 2007, is considered an eyesore in town. However, some residents that spoke up at the March 2012 meeting, stated that bringing another gas station to the site would be a dangerous move for the intersection, which is located at the Sunken Meadow Parkway entrance and exit ramps.

Howard Barton, an assistant environment protection director, who studied the intersection, wrote to the board stating, that the Hess station would have no significant negative effects to the area.

The site plan was approved 4-1 by the trustees. Supervisor Patrick Vecchio voted against the acceptance of the plans, citing safety concerns.