By Nathan Duke
Community Board 11 turned down a proposal to create a new sidewalk pizzeria off Northern Boulevard in Little Neck as neighbors of the site complained it would add noise and traffic to a residential street.
The board voted 39-3 against an application to open DiMaria’s Pizza at 248-25 Northern Blvd. in Little Neck during its Monday meeting.
Residents living near the proposed eatery said they did not want an outdoor cafe on their street.
“The block is full of single-family residential homes,” resident Bob Nobile said. “It’s a pizzeria that will use paper plates and cups. Any promise of a proper cleanup would be unacceptable. It will do its business outdoors and will not be able to ask its patrons to be quiet. It will test the quality of the neighborhood.”
The plan for the site included a parking lot as well as 15 outdoor tables and 25 chairs.
But Little Neck resident Alex Singleton said a total 36 households on the block would be affected by potential noise from the pizzeria.
The board’s Little Neck Zoning Committee approved the proposal with conditions, such as using ceramic, rather than paper, plates and that trash must be cleaned up at night. But the full board shot down the application.
“You are creating a business on 249th Street where there is now a blank wall,” board member Bernard Haber said.
At its meeting, CB 11 also bade farewell to Scott Hanover, who is leaving his position as deputy inspector for Bayside’s 111th Precinct to work as executive officer for the city Police Department’s Traffic Control Division.
Ronald Leyton will replace Hanover as the precinct’s deputy inspector.
“What made my job easier is that you care,” Hanover told the board’s members. “Some of you care more than others, but you care.”
The board also voted 26-16 to approve the five-year extension of a variance at a Bayside building that houses a BP Service Station and a 7-Eleven, but on the condition that the site’s owners keep it clean and trim trees on its property. The gas station is located at 218-01 Northern Blvd. in Bayside.
But neighbors of the station said the site consistently attracted cars with loud music as well as trash.
“The building is so monstrous,” resident Esther Lo said. “Beer bottles are often in the alley. In the summer, the stench emanating from the station is unbearable.”
Reach reporter Nathan Duke by e-mail at nduke@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4566.
