Town of Oyster Bay OKs drive-thru for Hicksville Chick-fil-A

The Oyster Bay Town Board this week approved a special-use permit for a planned Chick-fil-A in Hicksville.

The board's approval is the last step toward construction of the Chick-fil-A, other than the building permit, said town spokeswoman Marta Kane. The special-use permit was needed because the restaurant will have a drive-thru, she said.

The free-standing Chick-fil-A at Broadway Mall in Hicksville is among at least three that the Atlanta-based fast-food chain plans on Long Island.

A Port Jefferson Station location is scheduled to open in September. The company is proposing one in Commack, but some residents have mobilized against it, fearing traffic congestion.

In Hicksville, the company agreed to residents' requests on three matters, Kane said. Chick-fil-A will put in additional landscaping to mitigate noise concerns, will not have an entrance on Broadway and will not have an option to stay open later than 11 p.m., she said.

Chick-fil-A became embroiled in a nationwide controversy in 2012 because of donations to groups that oppose gay rights and because of the company president's comments against same-sex marriage.

David Kilmnick, CEO of the LGBT Network of Long Island, said he plans to try to meet with franchise owners for the three locations "to make sure their HR practices are LGBT-inclusive." New York State law prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.