In November, representatives from CVS went before the Village of Mineola Board of Trustees for an application to build a CVS on the site of the Jericho Diner and an abandoned automotive service station on the corner of Roslyn Road and Jericho Turnpike. Recently, the board of trustees, by a 4-0 vote, approved the application. However, the board placed a stipulation in its approval that the curb cut on Royal Avenue not be used as planned by the CVS.

The plan called for curb cuts to be used on Jericho Turnpike, Roslyn Road and Royal Avenue. However, the board has a problem with the Royal Avenue curb cut being used by CVS even though that curb cut currently exists.

Attorney David Leno, who is representing CVS, believes the curb cut on Royal Avenue is an important part of the plan. "The Royal Avenue curb cut was always there. We weren't looking to change it in any way. We were just looking to keep it open," he said.

Leno said the Royal Avenue curb cut provides an additional means of exit from the site and locks out the CVS site from the community. "Other than getting up to Jericho or getting up to Roslyn Road, you can't access the site from the back streets. I think it's more of a disservice to the residents than it is a protection or benefit," said Leno.

One resident who lives on Royal Avenue did express concern about having the curb cut on Royal Avenue open. Patrick Tobin expressed concern about trucks making deliveries to CVS using Royal Avenue and he explained that there are young children who live on the street.

Trustee Linda Fairgrieve said that the board voted to make the elimination of the curb cut on Royal Avenue a condition of the approval so that traffic generated by the CVS would not travel down the residential streets.

An official determination hasn't been made as to whether CVS will go ahead with the project.

Mineola Mayor Jack Martins did not take part in any of the hearings or the vote for the proposed CVS since his wife is an employee in another CVS store.