Islip planning board approves Wendy's application

The Islip Town planning board approved an application to build a Wendy's fast-food restaurant and drive-through on Montauk Highway east of Degnon Boulevard.

The board voted 4-2 in favor of the change of zone application at the Islip site by Jim Nazzaro at its meeting Thursday night, with board member Michael Kennedy abstaining.

Board chairman Edward Friedland and member Joe DeVincent voted against the application. They cited concerns about the planned restaurant's proximity to a mobile-home park and the density of similar restaurants on the street.

The 3,700-square-foot restaurant to be built at 168 E. Main St. will have 74 seats, along with the drive-through operation, according to town Planning Commissioner Richard Zapolski. The Wendy's will be open from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily.

"This is right next to a residential property," DeVincent said. "It's not that this area is underserved by restaurants and fast food. I think this is an inappropriate use."

Steven Bertolino, a lawyer for the applicant, said the restaurant will be 68 feet away from the closest mobile homes in the park.

Board member Donald Fiore, who voted for the application, also noted that the mobile-home park has placed trailers "pushed up against the property line," which reduces buffers and makes those mobile homes more susceptible to noise.

This was the second time that Nazzaro's application came before the planning board. The project was originally denied by the Islip Town Board last March because of community concerns over traffic dangers with the nearby Islip Middle School, along with density issues.

Nazzaro received permission from the town board to make changes reflecting those concerns and resubmit his application.

The new application features more trees for buffers, a lower decibel level for the drive-through speakers, fencing, and other improvements, Bertolino told the board.

"We've taken every precaution, every measure we can," he said.

The application now returns to the Islip Town Board for final approval at a later date.