The Town of Oyster Bay was asked to create a moratorium on development of the hamlet until there is time to review the entire impact of what is currently being proposed by various entities. The suggestion to "Step back and review the big picture," was made by Friends of the Bay Executive Director Denise Woodin, who spoke in her dual role as the chairperson of the Town of Oyster Bay Quality Communities Steering Committee at the May 22 town board meeting.

She began by saying that while FOB does not have a position on the Hess proposal, "Our mission lies at the water's edge." She said they are concerned that the project, when combined with the several others proposed or contemplated for the hamlet, will have a significant impact on traffic patterns, land use, open space, quality of life and our natural resources, including the bay.

"As you know, our hamlet is at a critical juncture. Island Properties has purchased nearly 70 properties in the downtown and waterfront area. The Hess Station has proposed an expansion that will bring new traffic to an already congested intersection. The Lizza proposal calls for new senior housing on Mill River Road, close to Mill Pond."

"These projects, not to mention any plans Island Properties may have for their sites, will have a cumulative impact on our community," she said.

Although she didn't mention it, the Oyster Bay Main Street Association has heard the initial suggestions of a nationwide town planner who offered traffic turnarounds at both ends of Lexington Avenue: in front of Roosevelt School and the Hess Station. Lexington is called a "bypass" and no parking is permitted on the avenue.

Ms. Woodin reminded Oyster Bay Town supervisor John Venditto that he had formed the QCSC to guide a public planning process. As part of the process, the town's consultants, Frederic P. Clark Associates, have reviewed traffic conditions and land use patterns and have gathered input from Oyster Bay's citizens at two forums, about their vision for the hamlet.

"This has been deliberative, not reactive: holistic, not piecemeal. To approve individual projects before the hamlet plan is even done, is, to use a cliché, putting the cart before the horse."

She ended by saying: "All potential development in the hamlet, in both the downtown and on the waterfront, should be subjected to a cumulative environmental review. This is the only way to preserve that which we all value: our history, our community character and our natural resources."

Supervisor Venditto complimented Ms. Woodin on her position saying: "That's a good statement. Now I understand why I selected you as the chairperson of the QCSC."

The comments were made after the representatives of Amerata Hess made their presentation to the town board. They were more up front with their statistics and in retrospect it appeared were reactive at the Oyster Bay Civic Association meeting (reported in the May 24 issue of the Oyster Bay Enterprise Pilot) and now were more informative. At the OBCA meeting they said there would be some increase in traffic: at town hall they said there would be a 12 percent increase in traffic.

After the OBCA meeting, held on May 17, they listened to criticism of their "green and white plastic" building and produced at the hearing a drawing of a house with a peaked roof, two setback areas on the left and right and mullioned windows. It was more country looking than the traditional Hess building.

Councilman Leonard Symons led the questions. He asked about what the store was going to sell, saying, '"I've watched convenience stores grow into general stores selling everything possible." They had given the board a list of products they were planning to offer. "As the product line expands so does the parking requirements and pedestrian safety issues," he said.

Attorney Kevin O'Brien said the convenience store was a small one, as opposed to some they have that include franchise food businesses.

Mr. Symons was concerned about their tobacco advertising signs that are across the street from the Boys & Girls Club of Oyster Bay-East Norwich.

Councilperson Bonnie Eisler said, "There should be no cigarette advertising 1,000 feet from a child location in town." There was applause from the audience.

Also on the calendar on May 22, was a hearing to limit cigarette advertising in the Town of Oyster Bay 1,000 feet away from all schools, playgrounds and Boys & Girls Club, either inside or outside the store. (Please see article on Page 1.)

During the Hess hearing the speakers said 1/3 of their customers do not buy gas, but buy cigarettes, the only other thing they presently sell except for the seasonal sale of Hess truck toys.

Cigarette sales are their secondary income, said Attorney Kevin O'Brien.

Those customers are being given more to purchase with the addition of the mini mart, said Mr. Eschbacher, the Hess traffic expert. He said there are 20 percent more customers in the summer. In the morning, 90 percent of the cars are from the north and in the afternoon are from various directions.

They interviewed their pump customers and found that 53 percent already pay the attendant at the window. They hope those customers will go inside the mart to make additional purchases.

Currently 15 percent of the drivers make a non-gas purchase: cigarettes.

Eighty eight percent said if they were not buying gas they would still be driving by the site.

Mr. Symons said when a Hess Express opens, it is a consumer destination. Mr. O'Brien said that is when they have a pizza or "Subway" franchise there too.

Mr. Eschbacher said they believe there will be a 25 percent increase in customers, although they think 15 percent is a more realisitic number. He said there will only be 12 percent new traffic. He reminded the board that they are providing parking for the mini mart customers, and increasing their fuel pump stations from eight to 12 car spots, so there would be room for the customers.

Mr. Symons was concerned with pedestrian safety with more reasons to get out of the cars.

Mr. Eschbacher said there will be five more cars per hour. Since there are three exits on the site, they are willing to put up a "no left turn" sign for the afternoons on the Lexington Avenue side, if needed.

Eileen McFetridge spoke about the Stand for Children program that started in 1966 and is growing nationwide. She cited the station as being in a dangerous location with confusing lights. "You can't control children by saying don't go into that shop. If candy, drinks and ice cream are there, it is an accident waiting to happen," she said.

She advised the Hess people to find another place to expand.

Christine Massarella said she had a grandchild at the Boys & Girls Center and was concerned with pedestrian safety; cars going through the station as a short cut from Lexington Avenue to Pine Hollow Road; and most of all, that cars backing up to leave the mini mart would not see little children on the lot.

She said a petition had already been given to the town board. "We have 150 parents against this. We are concerned with the children in this town," she said.

Thomas Danielli said there would be less maneuverability on the site as a result of the additional pumping island.

Marie Knight, president of the Oyster Bay Civic Association, said they had not voted on a position about the Hess Station because the forum held on May 17 was not a formal meeting. "We will vote at the next meeting," she said, adding that the nearness to the Boys & Girls Club is a concern.

She urged the town board to meet with Hess and Island Properties before the decisions are made because of impending changes in the area, especially as a result of the Dan Burden suggestions of using roundabouts to solve some of the local traffic problems.

Mr. O'Brien spoke last, saying there are no new storage tanks needed on the site, and said "There is a John Hess, a real person who cares about the business," and added, "The stations have a clean user friendly operation." (Later Charles Doering said all that means is more frequent deliveries.)

John Venditto ended by saying, "Like Mr. Hess likes to run first-class stations, we too like to run a first-class town."