Take 5 drive-through oil-change proposal in Wantagh draws neighbor concerns; board reserves decision

Quick Lube of Carolina LLC, doing business as Take 5, presented a special-exception application on Sept. 16, 2025 to operate a drive-in/drive-out oil-change facility at 3270 Sunrise Highway in the hamlet of Wantagh. The board heard a full presentation from the applicant’s counsel and engineering consultant, asked operational questions and received one public comment from the adjacent residential property owner; the board then reserved decision.

Applicant presentation: Attorney Garrett Gray (Weber Law Group) said the property is Section 57, Block 99, Lot 24 (mailing address 3270 Sunrise Highway). The applicant would demolish an existing 1-story repair facility and construct a smaller, 1,732-square-foot, single-story building with three service bays for fluid-only service (oil changes, filters and wiper replacement). Gray said Take 5 plans to relocate the building farther from the adjacent residential property, renovate paving, add landscaping, lighting, underground on-site drainage, and remove two existing access points while retaining one approved access onto Sunrise Highway (New York State DOT approval said to be received). He said deliveries would average about twice weekly and the largest delivery vehicle would be a box truck.

Operations and conditions discussed: The applicant initially described hours as 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily; in response to the board’s inquiry the applicant said Sunday openings could shift to 8 a.m. (the applicant agreed to an 8 a.m. Sunday opening in response to resident concerns). The applicant estimated an average of about 35 cars per day and said typical queueing is six to eight cars (maximum queue capacity of around 15). Take 5 committed to a landscaping plan and to hiring a licensed, insured landscaper on an ongoing basis (April 1–Oct. 31) with replacement of any dead plantings within a year secured by a bond.

Public comment: Linda Zunk Geffner, who identified herself as the resident at the southern property adjacent to the site, said the parcel has been derelict for years, asked whether she received proper notice of the hearing and raised concerns about late-night deliveries, overnight parking and noise. Ms. Geffner asked whether sidewalks, irrigation and ongoing maintenance would be required; the applicant agreed that sidewalks, curbs and irrigation would be provided and pledged maintenance per the landscaping plan.

Board action and next steps: After hearing testimony and the public comment, the board voted to reserve decision on the special-exception application. Commissioners and counsel said the application will return to the board with any outstanding materials and recommended conditions (landscaping maintenance, flagpole requested by the board, irrigation, and the accepted Sunday-hour amendment).

Why it matters: The site adjoins residential property and residents raised concerns about notice, intensity and nuisance conditions. The applicant committed to design and operational measures intended to reduce impacts; the board’s reservation of decision keeps final conditions and approvals open pending any supplemental materials or requirements.