The Glen Cove Planning Board recently approved the development of a new, upscale supermarket that will be located at the site of the former Pergament spanning up to, but not including, the site of the now empty Stop and Shop along the commercial zone of Forest Avenue. On Dec. 18, this newspaper learned that the City of Glen Cove and the developer of the new supermarket, Cove Associates, are being sued by Four T2 Associates, (who own the now vacant property where the old Stop and Shop was located), and by the Stop and Shop Supermarket Company which is now operating out of the former Farmers Bazaar. The plaintiffs filed an Article 78 proceeding with the Nassau County Supreme Court in Mineola. An Article 78 proceeding seeks to have local government decisions overturned.

Four T2 Associates and Stop and Shop feel that the Glen Cove Planning Board improperly approved the site plan because there are errors with regard to parking, off-loading in the rear of the proposed supermarket and the slope analysis for its rear retaining wall. Glen Cove Building Department Administrator Anthony Maurino said, "The city will defend the planning board decision vigorously and will advise the court on the grounds that a supermarket is permitted as a matter of right and that the plaintiffs, in criticizing the planning board's site plan review, are nitpicking and trying to put themselves and the court in the role of the planning board."

During the planning board's proceedings on the proposed supermarket, members of the community stated their support for the new development during the public hearing sessions. The support is largely based upon the onset of healthy competition to the only supermarket in Glen Cove-the former Farmers Bazaar, currently Stop and Shop. In addition, several Glen Cove residents who have lived in the city for decades stated for the record that the site has served as the location of a supermarket for generations. Support for the new supermarket was also the topic for a lively debate in the letters to the editor section of this newspaper.

William Bonesso, of the Forchelli et al law firm is representing Four T2 Associates and Stop and Shop. Representing the City of Glen Cove is the law firm of Crowe, Deegan and Dickson, the city's attorneys. Cove Associates is represented by Nicholas Sordi of Sordi and Sordi, a long-time Glen Cove law firm with extensive experience in, among other matters, zoning law.

In a related matter and demonstrating a commitment to our local community, Cove Associates will be delivering 300 turkeys to Glen Cove families in need with the assistance of the Glen Cove Kiwanis and the Glen Cove Rotary along with other organizations that advocate for those in need.