Residents urge board to reject publication for 24-hour gas station permit near Imperial Woods

Multiple residents told the Town Board they oppose scheduling a hearing for a special use permit that could allow a 24-hour gas station at 1016 Vestal Parkway East.

Jennifer Monahan (speaker 5) opened public comments on the agenda item and said: "I am here to officially voice my opposition... I, along with numerous other residents in my neighborhood, are opposed to changing and allowing a special use permit for 1016 Vestal Parkway East." She told the board the property is within 100 feet of houses and appears to be about 50 feet from her home on the Broome County GIS parcel map and raised concerns about stormwater runoff, traffic, noise and "benzene off gassing, cancerous effects."

Sue Johnson (speaker 6) described historic flooding in Imperial Woods in 2011, saying more than two dozen homes experienced sewer and river water backups in that event, and called the prospect of fuel storage on the parcel "horrifying" if a leak were to occur. Antoinette Kennedy (speaker 7) added traffic-safety concerns at nearby hairpin turns and said children and residents walk in the area.

Town staff and supervisors clarified that the board’s vote that evening was to approve a publication date for a public hearing (notice on 08/07/2026 for a hearing on 08/26/2026) and not a final decision on the special use permit. Supervisor (speaker 2) told residents the publication step provides roughly a month for petitions and for planning staff to complete paperwork; the board said it will review petitions and resident input before any final permit vote.

The residents said they are collecting signatures and asked the board to consider stormwater, traffic, public-safety and health impacts before any permit is granted. The matter will be the subject of a future public hearing, at which the board will take formal testimony and any additional evidence.