Board Approves BOLA Market/Exxon Rebuild at 901 Hillside Ave After Public Hearing

The Town of North Hempstead on Sept. 15 adopted a special permit allowing BOLA Realty LLC to replace and rebuild the gasoline service station at 901 Hillside Avenue in New Hyde Park, following a public hearing in which residents asked about scale, lighting and noise.

David Altman, who identified himself as chief general counsel for BOLA Oil Corp., told the board the project is a "raise and rebuild" that will include a 1,250-square-foot convenience store, two 12,000-gallon underground storage tanks and six multi-product dispensers for a total of 10 fueling positions. He said the operation will discontinue automotive repair bays and will continue to operate 24/7 under applicable law.

Altman said the canopy height will remain the same and that the project was modified to meet a Board of Appeals variance (a 4-foot-8-inch canopy setback). "There will be no fueling on the north side of those MPDs, only on the south side," he said while describing pump locations. He also said the applicant reduced the previously proposed sign height and area to comply with the BZA approval.

Resident Jim McHugh and others questioned increased lighting and the transition to a larger-format station, saying it might not fit the neighborhood character. McHugh asked whether the convenience store would serve hot food; Altman replied, "We are not serving any hot food... There is no heating and warming of food here. There is no food preparation here." He also confirmed there would be no repair bays.

Altman estimated the project's investment at approximately $4.5 million to $5 million and emphasized landscaping commitments, noting BOLA's company-wide landscaping budget. Board members voted to close the hearing and adopted the resolution approving the special permit. The board and applicant agreed to follow up with details such as HVAC decibel information during the building permit process and noted landscaping and signage conditions were part of approvals.