Hearing set on Sonic's East Meadow plan

The Hempstead Town Board of Appeals will consider on Wednesday granting several zoning variances to Sonic Drive-In for a potential East Meadow location.

The appeals board will hold a public hearing on the fast-food restaurant’s application at 2 p.m. at the meeting pavilion next to Town Hall, on 1 Washington St.

The 1950s-style national chain is seeking authorization to install drive-through windows, outdoor dining and two dozen outdoor menu signs, and a variance for off-street parking at the site of the former Rita’s Italian Ice, near Hempstead Turnpike and East Meadow Avenue.

It hopes to open the franchise late this year or early next year.

The trademark of the Oklahoma City-based franchise is roller-skating servers who deliver food to customers’ cars. There are more than 3,500 Sonics nationally; the company’s first Long Island location opened in April on Deer Park Avenue in North Babylon.

North Babylon residents initially complained about noise, trash and traffic. A company representative has said Sonic solved the “short-term” issues there and has a plan for East Meadow.