Smithtown BZA Votes Down Sonic's Plans for Nesconset

Fast-food drive-in Sonic will not be one of several restaurants opening in near Smith Haven Mall.

The Town of Smithtown's Board of Zoning Appeals voted 3-2 on Tuesday night to deny Serota Smith LLC a special exception permit to build a Sonic restaurant on the southeast corner of Middle Country Road and Alexander Avenue in Nesconset, across from Smith Haven Mall.

"Tonight, tonight is a good night for Nesconset," said Susan Fink, an Alexander Avenue resident.

Serota Smith, a Valley Stream-based company, proposed plans to build a 2,100-square-foot Sonic restaurant with 24 indoors seats and 22 outdoor parking stalls for a curb-service restaurant.

Contrary to earlier concerns, the Board of Zoning Appeals ruled that a curb-service restaurant is a permitted business use within the Town of Smithtown.

However, the BZA members found Sonic would generate significant noise concerns for residents living next to the site and both the existing and proposed buffers would not do enough to help block noise and light from the restaurant from affecting local residents.

There were also several flaws found with Sonic's proposed site layout providing enough space for vehicles waiting to use its drive-through window and could cause potential traffic hazards on Middle Country Road and Alexander Avenue.

Stay tuned to Patch as we go inside the Board of Zoning Appeals' decision and reactions from local residents.