Hempstead board approves Elmont automated car wash; several local traffic/parking rules passed, administrative calendar adopted

The Town of Hempstead Town Board on July 1 approved a special exception for 1587 Elmont Realty Corp. to replace a former gasoline service and automotive repair site at the southwest corner of Hempstead Turnpike and Belmont Boulevard in Elmont with an automated express car wash and an accessory detailing/retail area. The board also adopted several proposed local laws that change parking and traffic rules in multiple communities and passed the administrative calendar.

Elmont car wash: The applicant, represented by attorney William Vanessa, described a complete redevelopment of the paved site. Plans presented to the board call for a roughly 2,800‑square‑foot primary building containing an automated tunnel wash, a 521‑square‑foot retail/attendant area, a 366‑square‑foot mechanical area and a 640‑square‑foot detailing bay for appointment‑based detailing. The proposal would retain two curb cuts on Hempstead Turnpike for entrance and exit (the westerly curb cut proposed as entrance‑only for eastbound traffic; the easterly curb cut as exit‑only), reduce and close existing curb cuts on Belmont Boulevard to improve safety, and provide an escape lane and an on‑site stacking lane that the applicant said can hold about eight cars off the public roadway. The owners said the facility would operate roughly 6 a.m.–7 p.m. with four employees (five during busy periods). The applicant said the car wash would recycle water used in the tunnel and would remediate any contaminated soils if demolition and excavation uncover them.

Neighbors offered mixed views. Several nearby residents and a library‑area business owner welcomed removal of the prior automotive repair operation, saying it was a blight and that a car wash would improve the corridor. Other neighbors pressed the owner on vehicle idling in stacking lanes, air quality, noise, potential spillover parking on Belmont Boulevard and safety for pedestrians and schoolchildren crossing at the nearby signalized intersection. The applicant agreed to provide a landscape plan including screening and irrigation, close or reduce rear curb cuts on Belmont and to consider signage asking patrons to avoid loud music and to reduce idling. Nassau County Planning Commission issued a recommendation of local determination for the site, the applicant said.

Votes at a glance: Several agenda items were approved by roll call earlier in the meeting. The board recorded unanimous “Aye” votes on the following measures during the July 1 session: adoption of proposed local laws on parking restrictions and standing prohibitions in sections of Baldwin, Elmont, Hewlett, Lido Beach, Seaford and Valley Stream; approval of arterial stop changes in Levittown, North Merrick, Uniondale and Wantagh; and traffic and school‑zone speed‑limit regulations in Uniondale and North Merrick. The board also approved the administrative calendar (items 8 through 46) at the meeting’s close. For complete documentation, the town clerk’s office provided the roll call record for each item.

Board action on the Elmont application: The board moved to close the public hearing on the Elmont application and to accept the item for approval; the roll call recorded Supervisor Don Clavin, Councilman Dunne, Deputy Supervisor Dorothy Goosby, Councilwoman Miller, Councilman Muscarella, Councilwoman Ryder and Councilman Schneider all voting “Aye.” The board instructed applicants to submit final engineered plans and noted that town and county permitting (grading, drainage, demolition, and any required environmental remediation) will be required before construction.

Why it matters: The car wash replaces a former automotive repair site that neighbors said created visual blight and storage of vehicles; the change alters traffic and pedestrian dynamics at a busy, signalized Hempstead Turnpike intersection and requires town and county technical reviews. The local parking and traffic law changes affect multiple neighborhoods and were adopted without further public hearings during the session, according to the roll call.

Next steps: Applicants will prepare a landscape plan and engineered site drawings for town review and permitting. Town staff indicated they will continue to coordinate county technical approvals and monitor neighbors’ concerns during permitting and construction.