North Hempstead Allows Delis on Main Thoroughfares

The adopted a law that allows for sandwich shops, delis and bakeries to be on main thoroughfares, although with some conditions on Tuesday evening during the board meeting.

Town Planner Michael Levine explained that there is a new definition of a deli now, which is "a retail establishment which cooks and prepares to sell ... offers for sale prepackaged food or beverages primarily for off-premises consumption."

The conditions being placed on these businesses, according to Levine, include: being on a main thoroughfare with four or more travel lanes; minimum lot size of an acre and a half and minimum depth of 300 feet; per square area cap is 4,000 square feet; there are no tables or chairs for on-site consumption; no drive-thru service windows, among other things.

Councilman Angelo Ferrara said that he and Councilwoman Lee Seeman have been working on this issue for about two years. Ferrara thanked the Planning Department for helping the board to find a "resolution to a situation that we think is significantly beneficial to our Town of North Hempstead."

There were numerous public hearings on this issue, Ferrara said.

Marianna Wohlgemuth, president of the , wrote on New Hyde Park Patch about how would allow for businesses such as on Herricks Road to continue operating.