Public hearing set for new drive-thru on Transit

by ETHAN POWERS
Editor

Those residents potentially affected will get their chance to voice opinions on a new handful of quick-service restaurants set to hit Transit Road.

At the Town Board’s June 14 meeting, Bevilacqua Development was granted a public hearing for Wednesday, July 12, to consider a special exemption use permit for a drive-thru facility at 6031 Transit Road.

The drive-thru will be one component of an approximately 9,000-square-foot plaza to be built on the site of the former Buggy Wash, between Buffalo Pharmacy and a Noco gas station.

“There have been multiple revisions to this site plan, taking into account all of the Planning Board’s comments, and I believe we’ve addressed all of them,” said Jonathan Bevilacqua. “The building will be finished on all four sides, including stone on the back of the building as well.”

Bevilacqua told the board that while no retail tenant is currently assigned to the drive-thru, Pita Gourmet has signed a lease to take one of the complex’s end units.

At a Planning Board meeting last month, residents of Woodbridge Village expressed dismay at the possibility of another restaurant complex being erected along Transit, citing heavy traffic concerns and overdevelopment as reasons for the town to exercise prudence when considering any new developments in the area.

Supervisor Patrick Casilio however, lauded the project at the June 14 meeting, stating that the development was correcting the “worst part of Transit Road” and thanking Bevilacqua for “cleaning up an eyesore.”

“With the Buggy Wash, we had abandoned cars out front, we had abandoned buses out front. There were stockpiled materials in the back,” said Casilio. “You’re bringing services that are now in walking distance for some of the neighbors there. I think it’s a win-win for everybody.”

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