Residents Oppose 24-Hour Convenience Store in Bellmore

Residents recently opposed an application submitted to the Hempstead Town Board by 1206 Bellmore Avenue Realty Corp. or for a permit to convert an automobile shop into a 24-hour convenience store, according to an article in Newsday.

At a town board meeting on Tuesday, opponents said that they were concerned that the store and expanded hours would increase traffic and noise at the intersection of Bellmore Avenue and Park Avenue, according to Newsday.

Residents also accused store personnel of selling cigarettes to minors and said that illegal drug activity occurs at the location, according to Newsday.

"We are not aware of any of this [criminal activity]," Kevin J. O'Brien, attorney for the applicant, said at the June 19 hearing. Responding to residents' suggestions that the business cannot legally be open round the clock, he said there is "no restriction on hours of operation."

A petition with 200 signatures against the application was submitted to the town board at Tuesday's meeting, according to Newsday.

The town board originally held a public hearing on the matter on June 19.