Convenience store battle in Wheatley Heights continues

A years-long struggle over a proposed convenience store at a Straight Path gas station in Wheatley Heights will continue, at least until the end of the month.

The Babylon Town planning board will accept written comment until April 30. A planning official said the board will no longer hear speakers on the issue.

Neighbors fear the proposed store, on the triangle corner of Straight Path, Old Country Road and Volta Drive, will bring loiterers and public drinking, among other problems; a lawyer for the station’s owner says his client needs the revenue a convenience store would provide to pay for improvements such as security cameras and landscaping.

A small store is already open at the site.