As is generally known, the King Kullen/Kimco team will return to the North Hempstead Town Hall on Tuesday, July 27, for another hearing on its proposal for the Filene's Shopping Center. The group's former request for a change of zone in the property was turned down by the town board at a hearing on June 8 by a vote of 3-2. Council members Doreen Banks, Tony D'Urso and Angelo Ferrara voted against the rezoning and Supervisor Newburger and Councilman James O'Connor voted in favor of it. King Kullen subsequently requested another hearing before the town board and that is the one that will be heard on July 27. At the invitation of King Kullen executives, the Manhasset Press visited their offices in Westbury to discuss the issues relating to the proposed store. Prior to going to the King Kullen office, we asked North Hempstead Town Supervisor May Newburger how it was possible for a second hearing to be held so soon after the first one. Mrs. Newburger said that she had consulted with Town Attorney Howard Miller who said that as long as there had been changes in the application it was proper to hold a new hearing.

At the King Kullen offices we met with the company's vice president for government and industry relations, Tom Cullen, with his cousin, Bernard P. Kennedy, general counsel and secretary of King Kullen, and with Edward Glackin, vice president for real estate.

Attempting to address the community's concerns, we asked Mr. Glackin whether it was absolutely necessary that the store be open 24 hours a day. He replied that it is not. "We can't predict the future and we like to retain flexibility. However the town could require a covenant that would limit the hours of operation. That would be part of the site plan review process. We are prepared to accept reasonable demands of the community."

We asked why King Kullen believes the proposed location, which requires the change of zone, the only possible one.

Mr. Glackin replied that the company has spent "untold hours" at the Center. "There is a mass of retail along 25A trying to utilize a limited parking field. A supermarket must be convenient. King Kullen has added surface parking where there is the greatest demand and put the supermarket where the parking is least used." Mr. Kennedy added that the new configuration should make the rest of the Center healthy and enable them to attract better tenants.

In response to a question about the underground parking garage and the fact that it is unsatisfactory, Mr. Glackin said he agreed, but said that is because of the way it is currently available. "King Kullen has counted more than 200 employees who would be required to park there," he said.

Asked about the changes that have been made since the June hearing, Mr. Glackin said that the supermarket owners thought that they had provided an adequate buffer zone. "In response to the comments at the last meeting, we moved the building so that it is now 20 feet from the Whitney property where it was previously 40 to 50 feet away. The building is now a minimum of 75 to 80 feet from the Enriquez property line. The loading docks have been moved an additional 125 to 130 feet so that the closest property owner is 250 feet away from them. This eliminates the impact on the Sheridans."

Turning to the number one problem, which is traffic, Mr. Glackin said that the building size has been reduced another 3,000 square feet so that it is now 39,000 square feet. That means it would be smaller than King Kullen's new Syosset store, small than Mineola and 2/3 the size of its Commack store.

Mr. Kennedy conceded that traffic will continue to be an issue. "There will be more traffic no matter how the Center is occupied," he said. "This proposal is the only one that has the potential to help." Asked how it would help, he said that the proposed curb cut on Northern Boulevard would relieve traffic at the Northern Boulevard/Shelter Rock Road intersection. In response to a question as to whether the New York State Department of Transportation had approved the curb cut, he said that "We have all the OKs that we can get at this stage. The DOT might still change the details."

Asked about going back to the board so soon after the denial on June 8, Mr. Kennedy said that the town counsel said that denial is not a bar to reapplication. "King Kullen didn't presume to come back with the same plan. It was a close vote and we think we have addressed the residents' concerns."

If the board should approve the change of zone on July 27, King Kullen will have to go back to the Board of Zoning Appeals for a special use permit which is required for all food uses over a certain size. Subsequently if they receive the special use permit they will return to the Town Board for a Site Plan Review.

As is apparent from the number of letters in opposition to the King Kullen plan, many Manhasset residents are still adamantly opposed to the change of zone application. However, in what may be a straw in the wind, Councilman Angelo Ferrara said that he has received a great number of calls from people who are in favor of it. It remains to be seen how the July 27 hearing goes. Town Clerk Linda Green told us that there are two or three site plan reviews on the agenda for that meeting. "Come and be prepared for a long night," she said.