Smithtown BZA to Hear Hess's Requests for Further Variances, Wize Eyes

Commack residents who oppose plans to build a Hess gas station will gather at the Smithtown Board of Zoning Appeals on Tuesday night. 

Town of Smithtown's Board of Zoning Appeals will hear further variance requests from Hess Corp to build in Commack, in addition to variance requests from Wize Eyes in Hauppauge. 

Hess Corp's seeks multiple variances from Smithtown Planning officials to build a 12-pump Hess Express with a 1,230-square-foot convenience on the Jericho Turnpike and Harned Road intersection in Commack. 

Hess's plans have been met with strong opposition from area residents at the application's first public hearing on Feb. 23, who objected an increase in traffic at the five-way intersection would result in more deadly accidents. Among those who spoke out against the application was state Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick, R-Smithtown. 

Those in support of the application say that it would turn a now abandoned, dilapidated white building into part of the local business community, providing a tax base for Town of Smithtown and Commack schools. 

Hess's plans were approved by a narrow 3-2 vote by Smithtown Town Council in March, with Supervisor Patrick Vecchio and Council Ed Wehrheim against the application. 

A lawsuit filed in combination by Gasoline Heaven and four Commack residents - Jonathan and Kathy Bacchi, Edward and Janice Fiorvanti - to overturn the town's decision claiming elected officials failed to fully consider the gas station's environmental impacts on the surrounding area. 

In addition to the Hess application, Smithtown Town Officials will also hear an application from Wize Eyes in Hauppauge  to request variance for increase signage.

The full list of applications being heard by Smithtown Board of Zoning Appeals on Tuesday night is available on the town's website under the Planning Department.