Applicant seeks to reinstate auto-repair garage on Sunrise Highway; neighbors ask about setbacks and noise
May 29, 2026 | Hempstead, Nassau County, New York
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An attorney for DBZ Holdings III LLC presented an application on May 27 seeking a special exception under Article 16, Section 196N of the Town of Hempstead building zone ordinance to re-establish an auto-repair/public garage use at a Sunrise Highway property long used as a dealership.
Sherri Ali, speaking for the applicant, explained the site history, described the building (a roughly 24,000-square-foot masonry structure on the south side of Sunrise Highway previously operated as a dealership since 1987) and said the proposed service center intends to conform to all town requirements. Ali said Saturday and Sunday hours would be one hour shorter than the prior dealership hours and that the anticipated Lincoln franchise would have a smaller car line, which staff and the applicant said should reduce vehicle counts.
Council members focused on residential impacts: Councilman Schneider asked for the distance between the rear of the facility and homeowners on Locust Avenue; Ali did not have the precise setback on hand and pledged to provide exact measurements and plan-page references to the board. Schneider and others also asked about noise mitigation; Ali said the prospective owners will maintain landscaping, a fence and an on-site contact protocol to address noise complaints and asserted they do not anticipate more cars or noise than the previous use.
Why it matters: the property lies in a business district with residences immediately to the south; residents in the hearing questioned how any new or returning automotive use would affect noise, traffic, and residents’ rear-yard exposure.
Next steps: applicant will supply the requested measurements, plan references and any additional mitigation commitments to the board and staff, and the matter will proceed through the special-exception review process. If a formal permit or variance is later required, affected neighbors will be notified under standard town procedures.
Sherri Ali, speaking for the applicant, explained the site history, described the building (a roughly 24,000-square-foot masonry structure on the south side of Sunrise Highway previously operated as a dealership since 1987) and said the proposed service center intends to conform to all town requirements. Ali said Saturday and Sunday hours would be one hour shorter than the prior dealership hours and that the anticipated Lincoln franchise would have a smaller car line, which staff and the applicant said should reduce vehicle counts.
Council members focused on residential impacts: Councilman Schneider asked for the distance between the rear of the facility and homeowners on Locust Avenue; Ali did not have the precise setback on hand and pledged to provide exact measurements and plan-page references to the board. Schneider and others also asked about noise mitigation; Ali said the prospective owners will maintain landscaping, a fence and an on-site contact protocol to address noise complaints and asserted they do not anticipate more cars or noise than the previous use.
Why it matters: the property lies in a business district with residences immediately to the south; residents in the hearing questioned how any new or returning automotive use would affect noise, traffic, and residents’ rear-yard exposure.
Next steps: applicant will supply the requested measurements, plan references and any additional mitigation commitments to the board and staff, and the matter will proceed through the special-exception review process. If a formal permit or variance is later required, affected neighbors will be notified under standard town procedures.
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