Hilltop Service Station

You guys know it.  It's the old-school gas and auto service station at East Main where Sagamore Dead Ends into it.  The new owner started selling used cars there and I really can't tell the difference from the old one; certainly doesn't look much different than from how the old owner kept it.

Anyhow, we've previously noted how the Yorktown Supervisor seems hellbent on twisting one property owner's nuts while turning a blind eye to another doing nearly the exact same thing (from a zoning perspective) a couple blocks down Route 6 at the intersection of Mohegan Ave/Lakeland St. where Mohegan Lake Motors set up shop at a legal eating and drinking establishment (formerly Anthony's Pizzeria).

Susan Seigel has studious notes from the last Town Board working session.  I'd bring you video of the discussion, but apparently such work sessions do not merit public scrutiny, unless you can make it to the meeting and lean in on their table.  If you don't already follow Ms. Seigel's Citizens for and Informed Yorktown email list--it's informative; did you know there will be a public hearing about our water bills going up 25% very soon (it doesn't matter what you say, it's happening)?  Here are her notes from the 1/26/16 Town Board work session on Hilltop Service Station:

Chris Sciarra showed the board photos of what he said was the “look” the owner wanted to achieve as part of his efforts to “beautify” the site.   He said the owner planned to apply for a rezoning to allow the sales of used cars but before he did, he wanted a sense of the board as to exactly what it wanted.  (Based on a passing comment, the applicant may be applying for a new transitional zone for the two parcels that currently comprise the site; one parcel is used residential, the other already is a transitional zone.)

Supervisor Grace repeated his issues:  he is concerned with the aesthetics along the Route 6 greenbelt; he sees  no difference between cars parked for sale and cars packed to be repaired, a point challenged by a resident in the audience who was allowed to speak.  The supervisor suggested he would not be happy seeing a “ditch” along Route 6 and he also wanted to “soften” the site’s  look from Route 6.  Councilman Bernard asked the owner to touch base with the state to see what plantings might be possible along Route 6; otherwise, he said, the invasives will just grow back.

The major aesthetic issue was differences of opinion on whether a canopy should be permitted, and if so, what size and shape. Councilman Diana said he was opposed to one and wanted to keep the “old style” look of the station. He added, however, that he would be open minded if the owner came back with something smaller.

Mr. Sciarra said that the station was one of only two in Yorktown did not have self service and that it was important to help a local business. The owner explained that if the pumps are not protected by a canopy, they will deteriorate.

John Tegeder suggested that one solution to retaining the 1940s look might be to see if the roof line of the building could be extended over the pumps.

There was also a discussion of signs and it was unclear whether the owner was planning on keeping the existing signs or planning new ones.

The applicant will have to prepare a formal site plan (not, as the supervisor said, a drawing on a napkin) when he submits the rezoning application.

I leave you with this clip from "Chinatown," because water is important and this is one of the most important movies in the American movie lexicon that addresses it; if you have never seen it, put it in your queue (plus, it has Jack Nicholson):