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Neighbors all revved up over car dealer's expansion plans At an informational meeting this week, the Massapequa Park Board of Trustees unveiled preliminary plans for the expansion of the Lexus dealer on Sunrise Highway. A majority of the residents in attendance, who live behind the car dealership, were concerned about the impact on their quality of life. The plans call for expansion of an existing building as well as construction of a new structure that will house pre-owned vehicles. A representative for the owner said the building was being changed and updated "due to the fact that it's an eyesore." One concern for Tyrconnell Avenue residents, whose block sits south, behind Lexus, is that the new building will utilize space now used for parking cars. They asked what plans are being made for parking under the new proposal. The property, at 4950 Sunrise Highway, between Carol Drive and Manhattan Avenue, will get two new showrooms on either side of the existing one story building which utilizes 10.4 percent or 7,215 square feet of the 68,800 square foot parcel. The plan calls for building a new 2,924 square foot single story building utilizing 16.1 percent or 11,078 square feet of the lot. It will sit on the corner of Manhattan Avenue and Sunrise Highway. "This new building will blend better with the area because we are setting it back further from the road," said John Copobianco, the architect. He added it would cost approximately a half million dollars. According to Copobianco this will also help alleviate traffic in the residential area because plans include eliminating one driveway on Manhattan Avenue. Residents still had concerns. "My property abuts the dealer and I have had cars roll through my fence into my yard," said Pat Conway, of Tyrconnell Avenue who said she worries about her family's safety, as well as their qual ity of life which is hindered by the dealer's obtrusive spot lights. "I'm not happy that cars can bump her fence and make her feel unsafe," said Mayor James Altadonna, addressing the dealer's representatives. "We need a concrete barrier so this never happens again." The Mayor added that he'd like to see the lighting shielded in some way so that it doesn't spill over into the residential area. According to Copobianco, the cars that were parked behind the building will be placed in the new showrooms, so no additional outside parking space is needed. Another concern was that the buffer between the establishment and the residential homes would disappear, but the architect told the board that the plans call for maintaining the buffer. Mayor Altadonna pointed out that there may be a covenant on the property specifying that the buffer remain. After questioning, Copobianco said the new building would only be used for existing salespeople and Lexus had no plans to hire additional staff. "We are trying to facilitate low impact use along our portion of Sunrise Highway," said the Mayor. "Lexus has been a good neighbor, so we're hoping the next set of plans that you present will reflect the concerns your neighbors have," said the mayor. The hearing was held over until November when updated plans will be shown.
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