At a recent hearing, Farmingdale residents publically voiced concern over a proposal to add more pumps to the Delta gas station along Rt. 109 near Fulton and Bernard streets. Neighbors argued that the expansion would make an already dangerous intersection even more hazardous.
“There are a lot of accidents on that corner,” said Ronald Schwabe, a Bernard Street resident.
According to Schwabe, drivers frequently turn onto the one-way street, heading the wrong way. Fellow Bernard Street residents chimed in, adding that in the past few weeks, there have already been two car accidents on the block. Despite previous discussions on improving traffic flow at the intersection, residents suggested the village change the narrow one-way street into a dead end, assuring nobody goes up the block in the wrong direction.
However, none of the suggestions floated by residents at the meeting would suggest a compromise with the gas station’s plans to expand. In addition to safety concerns, residents complained that the gas station was not well kept, full of pot-holes and low lights.
Open since the 1930s, the Delta gas station at 511 Fulton Street is a non-conforming property, which means the tenant needs a special use permit from the village in order to expand operations.
“Everything is put on hold until [the tenant] cleans up,” said Village Administrator Brian Harty.
According to Harty, the tenant needs to spruce up before the village will consider approving the permit.
“I think this is going to take up to six months before [the tenant] shows anything redeeming,” said Farmingdale Mayor Ralph Ekstrand.
After numerous comments from the public, the Village Board of Trustees unanimously voted to close the hearing, with the caveat that the tenant resubmit his permit application after the property is cleaned up.
