Providing food for thought on the Glen Cove Planning Board's agenda for their meeting of Oct. 16 were the continuation of a public hearing regarding an upscale supermarket project on Forest Avenue and making a decision on a Starbuck's, (proposed for Glen Cove Avenue), and the reopening of the diner, (at Orchard Plaza). The upscale supermarket is proposed for the site spanning the former Pergament up to, but not including, the current Stop and Shop. The Stop and Shop site will be vacant by mid-November and relocated to Farmers Bazaar. For the most part, North Shore residents have commented for the record that without the proposed upscale supermarket there would be no competition, leaving shoppers at the mercy of Stop and Shop. The Glen Cove building department and planning board have received numerous phone calls over the last several days from shoppers fearful that the city would not support the new supermarket. They were emphatic about the city fostering a competitive option to Stop and Shop. Prior to the continuation of the public hearing, Councilwoman MaryAnn Holzkamp added her comments to the record while addressing the board. She said, "Some people think that the city government opposes the idea of another supermarket in Glen Cove. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Glen Cove's record of excellence has been based on bringing new business into the city, not keeping business out. We have always made sure that Glen Cove is business friendly. We have an open door policy on new business. Keep the door open." Mrs. Holzkamp, who is a candidate for mayor, noted the recent citywide revamp of all Glen Cove business zones.

The proposed supermarket is being actively opposed by Stop and Shop corporate representatives who claim the opposition is not based on the entry of competition, but on compliance to parking space requirements, loading and unloading of trucks, the height of a retaining wall and the marketability of the soon-to-be vacant current Stop and Shop. Counsel for Stop and Shop said the daily operations of the proposed supermarket would negatively affect his client's ability to find a new tenant.

Residents offering comments for the record cited the need for another supermarket in Glen Cove that adds to the positive reasons for living and raising a family in the city. They noted that the opposition by Stop and Shop is solely because the company wants to be the only supermarket in town. Several residents said prices have gone up while quality has gone down. They added that the corporate Stop and Shop personnel in Glen Cove during the transition period have been less than personable and have allowed the store to exist in a deplorable condition. The Stop and Shop representative apologized and said the issues would be addressed as soon as possible.

Building Department Administrator Anthony Maurino offered into evidence photographs illustrating by comparison how the proposed supermarket will not operate with exterior storage of trailers and outdoor refrigerator boxes that create noise and vibrations. This is what residents claim exists at the Stop and Shop/Farmers site now. The supermarket proposal is being forwarded to the county planning commission for comment with the record remaining open for another 15 days for correspondence.

The Starbuck's and diner proposals were unanimously approved, each with a list of conditions. Some of the conditions for the diner are as follows: the owners must have frequent collection of solid waste in a container that must be screened with a landscaped site; hours of operation will be restricted; there are restrictions on occupancy and landscaping on property parallel to Dana's Island must be maintained in perpetuity.

As for Starbuck's, since the store will occupy only a portion of the former Fleet Bank, Starbucks cannot get involved with prepared food, a takeout restaurant, deli or similar activity unless the planning board decides there is adequate parking. Speed bumps are to be installed throughout the lot. The interior exit onto Valentine Avenue will require a curved island so that vehicles must head toward Glen Cove Avenue and not down Valentine. Once fully operational, the planning board will revisit the traffic pattern in the area. Both Starbuck's and the diner need to submit a landscape plan before being issued permits or certificates of occupancy.