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Merrick Preserve Gets Boost From Town

A weekly look-in at news from around the Town of Hempstead.

The Norman J. Levy Preserve is formerly a landfill, but transformed by the Town of Hempstead into a beautiful eco-friendly park where the grass is cut by Nigerian dwarf goats and guinea hens keep pesky ticks at bay.

Now, the town has introduced it's latest green initiative – solar powered jitneys, which are electrical transports used to ferry guests about the park's 51 expansive acres.

Town Supervisor Kate Murray spoke with Merrick Patch about the preserve earlier this week.

Lawrence Costco Plan Sees Opposition

A handful of people and attorneys representing Five Towns merchants and residents and Rockaway Turnpike gas stations voiced opposition to Costco’s request to add a 22-pump gas station to its warehouse store in North Lawrence.

Opponents’ request on Wednesday to adjourn the chain’s variance request at the Town of Hempstead Board of Zoning Appeals was granted, and a new hearing date was set on Aug. 1 at 2 p.m.

Costco brought its plan to convert 163 of the Lawrence store’s 822 parking spaces into a gas station in March. To do this, the company needs a parking variance from the BZA because the amount of spaces would not meet the required town minimum. It also needs a permit from the Town of Hempstead Board to install three 30,000-gallon storage tanks at the southwest corner of Rockaway Turnpike and Nassau Expressway.

Click the headline to read more on the story. Stephen Bronner contributed to this report.

Sam Livingston June 24, 2012 at 11:05 am
If its at a COSTCO, just think long lines and no one to help!
Tideline June 24, 2012 at 12:59 pm
I don't need anyones help to pump my own gas. I notice all the local gas stations are against you saving any money. Another example of TOH stiffling new business and costing us more jobs and new sources of Tax Revenue once again. Most Costco' around the country have a gas station there, but here, it is OK for the established gas stations to have their tanks in the ground, but not OK for Costco to do the same. Sounds like Costco needs to figure out which politicians need to be paid consulting fees or paid off and get it done already.
paul June 24, 2012 at 03:20 pm
I agree Tideline.
Since this has happened before do we know the rule of dumb I mean thumb for the TOH/BZA to equate the number of parking spaces required for a business by size etc??
Tideline June 24, 2012 at 06:57 pm
Paul i have been to that costco many times. They dont need half the parking spots they have.
Nassau county highway patrol uses costco parking lot to do truck safety checks, there is such an abudance of space there. Costco being a good member of the community has allowed it for years. Perhaps they have now got the lesson on local politics and will wise up and stop the county use of their land. Another example of TOH stiffeling growth in tax base and jobs. OK though for the gas stations 2 blocks away to operate though
paul June 24, 2012 at 07:16 pm
If someone wants to wait on a line to put in non branded gasoline that is fine with me.
I could not care if it was $1.00 a gallon..... Yuk.....
paul June 24, 2012 at 11:08 pm
To Lawrence Etwick:
Way off base. Yes we want Americans to have jobs but the reality of it is most Americans do not want that as an occupation..... I have done that and am proud of that fact.....
Jason June 24, 2012 at 11:48 pm
Just waht we need more enviornmental pollution and more fuel depots?
Tideline June 25, 2012 at 12:55 am
Shell, Sunoco, Mobil, etc get to have their stations and Costco should not. That is the new America for you. So much for equal opportunity for all.
Frank T June 25, 2012 at 07:50 pm
I wonder how much the solar panels cost? No mention of price by Murray, it's not her money what does she care. Can't wait until it breaks down and town employees can't figure out how to fix it. Maybe they should strap the Nigerian goats to the jitney and have them pull it around the preserve. Now that's green energy!
Frank June 25, 2012 at 09:54 pm
Want to help the South Shore? Push local, county, and state government to move the sewage outfall pipes from the Western Bays into the Atlantic Ocean.

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Gail June 17, 2013 at 02:08 pm
Is this the same help that was offered in a letter sans envelope that was found in our mailbox whenRead More we got home from work on Tuesday? Who were the lucky Town residents who got the letter in time to take advantage of these services?
jj lawrence June 16, 2013 at 11:41 am
Does anyone know what this post means? Does new blood mean voting for the old guys or the young guyRead More or a combination of young and old? What truth is the Lawrence Association bringing? That it makes sense to elect someone who has never been involved in any way shape or fashion in village affairs? Can she explain that if she wants new blood why the Lawrence Association declined to back Jeffrey Hirth who fits the new blood and fresh energy mold?
Bojames June 13, 2013 at 02:56 pm
...and he has done NOTHING to fix the broken application of the NYS "clergy" exemption onRead More private homes which has resulted in over 30 property owners of private homes in Hewlett-Woodmere SD # 14 paying NO SCHOOL Taxes!!! This issue was made known to him by Controller Levinson in 2006!!! and he has done nothing!!!! more details from clergyexemption@gmail
Jacob S. June 14, 2013 at 02:56 pm
It's all a Legislative Charade. Lipa was overloaded with Debt from the Shoreham Debacle that ourRead More Legistlators got us into by canceling the Shoreham plant. Electricity? Just Put up another Windmill. The reality is that we face more Blackouts and Danger. Lipa still owes Billions from Shoreham and therefore Cannot afford to Invest in Infrastructure. So the System fails again and again and then our Legislators Blame Lipa and they say "we need reform". so give the job to someone else with a New Name but with the same big debt, and no real change. Why Doesn't Nassau County take over the Debt so that all Taxpayers are responsible and it doesn't hang solely over the Ratepayers?
bikerrich June 17, 2013 at 09:02 am
better yet. Pull a Detroit and default on the debt. What are they gonna do? foreclose the poles??Read More lol. Elder Cuomo mortgaged us to wall street forever. did his buddies a favor.
Assemblyman Brian Curran, Valley Stream Village Justice Robert Bogel, Senior Councilman Anthony J. Santino, newly initiated Eagle Scout Ian Freiman and his father Martin, Legislator Fran Becker and Councilman James Darcy
Chrissy June 10, 2013 at 10:54 am
Congratulations on your great accomplishment from the mother of two Eagle Scouts from Troop 20Read More Cedarhurst!
Benny Gamal June 7, 2013 at 03:48 pm
No offense - it just sounds good - best of luck Michael. Sincerely, your pal, Benny Gamal
Ann Cohen June 12, 2013 at 09:40 pm
Very nice. Thanks Ed.
Ann Cohen June 12, 2013 at 09:40 pm
Your friend, Ann Cohen.