Smithtown's About To Get Sonic Restaurant, Chick-Fil-A And More

Dieting was clearly not on the minds of Town Board members Tuesday, January 5 as they began 2016 by unanimously approving Serota Smithtown LLC’s application for a Sonic Restaurant and Cosentino Realty Commack/PJ Venture LLC’s application for demolition of a strip mall in Commack to build a Chick-Fil-A restaurant.

Sonic Restaurant will be built in Nesconset on Alexander Avenue and Jericho Tpke. across from the Smiththaven Mall.  After a four-year ordeal in which the original application was denied resulting in a court challange the Town Board moved forward with the project. Discussions at the Board’s work session on Tuesday focused on curb cuts, access on Alexander Ave. and a contiguous roadway behind the restaurant. The proposed roadway would connect with Ragazzi Italian Restaurant and provide access to Alexander Ave. to traffic from Costco.  With the exception of Councilman Wehrheim, Town Board members were opposed to the roadway. Allowing vehicular traffic behind the buildings they felt would place an unnecessary burden on the residents. The applicant agreed to the change its applicationremoving the road. Approval was granted. The decision to approve comes after a four-year battle in which the town rejected the application and was taken to court by the applicant. The judge ruled that the Town’s denial was not based on fact. After vowing to appeal the decision the Town relented and did not file an appeal.

A 4,876 square foot Chick-Fil-A restaurant will be built on Commack Rd. south of Henry Street. The restaurant will have interior counter space. The Town Board granted the application for demolition of a strip mall and office building which will be replaced by Chick-A-Filet and an 11,000 sq.-ft building which will house Sabrosa Restaurant, a pizza restaurant, Dunkiin’Donuts/Baskin-Robbins with a drive-thru and possibly a pet store. Last year residents from Huntington complained about increased traffic and quality of life impact. Town Board members noted that the area was already zoned and used for commercial purposes.

Comments

[EPG]

Nothing like creating more traffic in inappropriate locations all in the pursuit of accelerated heart disease. :)

[Barbara]

I want to see the quality of life change in the Commack area ( not for the better either) . Commack road is already a dangerous area and now with these drive thru's crap fast food restaurants the traffic and increase accidents is not good for the area . Plus they aren't even using local union workers to build this strip mall . I am really disappointment in the local government . It was a commercial area they say . Did they do a traffic study ? No , it's all about government and kick backs not about the people.

[Chris D]

who on earth let this go through. That entire area is now packed with blocked traffic already. You cant cross under the LIE and Crooked Hill Road is mobbed...

[ME]

Who cares about traffic, it's CHICK-FIL-A!!!!!