When I was in high school, I used to pump gas and change oil for cars at the Harbor Heights Gas Station, a little shop off of 114 that is a pretty charming place. The building is old as all hell, it’s practically falling to the ground, the people that work there, in general, are all kind of loveably crazy, and for me, it was a great job on weekends.
I looked at it as a way to make some easy pocket change, and genuinely enjoyed working there and getting dirty. It amazed me how stupid people were when it came to their cars. I can’t tell you how many people (who are rich and successful by the way) would come up to me and seem completely dumbfounded at the concept of getting an oil change, a tire rotation, tire plug or a jump start.
Anyway, the reason I’m bringing all of this up (besides the fact that I’m trying to pretend I’m this macho dude who used to pump gas even though I sit in front of a desk for a living now) is that the owners of the station want to knock down the building. They want to tear it down, build a new, more modern building, increase the amount of gas pumps that are there, build a little shop that sells soda and coffee like any other normal gas station, and…well you know…make it better. Right now the only thing to eat there is a candy machine that you drop a quarter in and it delivers you a handful of M&M’s. Trust me, you want to think twice before you eat those M&M’s. They could be from the 1950s.
Of course, GOD FORBID OWNERS OF A LOCAL BUSINESS IN SAG HARBOR WANT TO UPGRADE THIER STORE FOR THE BETTER!!!! (Cue the loud conch call and Will Ferrell screaming, “Preservation Committee! ASSEMBLE!!!”
In no short order, a website was created and over 230 signatures were presented to the Sag Harbor Village Planning Board that reads, “We oppose the application of Petroleum Ventures/Harbor Heights for a gas station with many more pumps, a massive overhead canopy and a new, oversized convenience store. The Sag Harbor Village boards must strictly apply all present zoning codes to protect the village character and the residential neighborhood.”
Okay, I get it, you don’t want the character of Sag Harbor to change. I don’t think anybody with their heads on straight would want that, but you have got to let these guys upgrade their gas station so that it is profitable for them and so that it looks better. I don’t know what crazy eyes these people see this gas station through, but it’s an absolute mess down there, it always has been. That is charming in itself, but we should be welcoming businesses owners who want to invest and clean up where they do their business.
Am I in favor of making the building a huge structure with a giant neon sign? No of course not. Am I in favor of building a McDonald’s there? No. Am I in favor of knocking that building down and building something that is cleaner, better and fits in with the Village of Sag Harbor? Yes. Of course I am. I can’t imagine why anybody wouldn’t be.
Obviously, the owners of Harbor Heights can’t turn the place to a freaking circus over there, but increasing pumps? Building a new store? Seriously? You have a problem with that? Are you that jealous of others success?
I don’t get it.
These guys have a huge financial incentive to keep this building within Sag Harbor’s character and the Village Planning Board…THAT’S WHAT THEY DO.
Jealous of their success? Do you really think that’s what the opposition to this is about?? If you need to ask that question, you’re right. You don’t GET IT. I’m sure they need to add more pumps and a minimart, because the $4.75 per gallon they charge is really killing them.
You’re right I don’t get it. I think they should be allowed to upgrade their business. Last time I checked we live in America, you know, where people try to do that…
Expand or not at $4.75 a gallon they are the most expensive gas station in the Hamptons. Total rip off of the local consumer, the people of Sag Harbor especially who also have to abide by zoning laws, rules and restrictions. So let this station wither and die, the world has too many gas stations anyway.
David do you know what’s right across from this spot? Historic buildings, small communities of people, local blue collar folks who’ve lived here for a long, long time and more recent additions who’ve spent tons of money to restore old homes and had to follow the rules of the ARB with what color they could paint the place and what shingles they could use. Why on earth would they be ok with a BIG gas station going up across the street from them? don’t get me wrong I frequent Harbor Heights (mostly to say Hi to Pam if I”m passing by) and I think John Leonard is a decent guy but anything out of character with the surrounding buildings is NOT right. Look at what’s right next door to the gas station – it sat empty for ages – and was a blight – but the people who built that had to follow some pretty hard rules as recall also which is why it looks more like a barn. If more pumps would allow them to charge less than what is probably the MOST for gas anywhere around than OK maybe let them add a pump but I doubt that’s the case. That area doesn’t need a mini 7/11 – we already have one in Sag Harbor.
I’m not in favor in turning it into a circus with big lights or anything like that. I agree, keep it in the spirit of Sag Harbor. But you gotta let these guys build a store at their gas station if they want to. Just because there is another store in town doesn’t mean it should be illegal to build one.
And on a side note, I never thought I’d see the day when a Sag Harbor resident uses a large corporate chain like 7-11 in Sag Harbor as a reason why a local guy can’t open up a convenience store at a local gas station.
Are you turning to the dark side Ellen?
Dave
I fought the fight to keep 7/11 out YEARS ago – lost that see no reason to not fight to keep ANOTHER similar spot out. ONE thing the gas station has going for it is that it would be “more” local but I still see kids hanging out, garbage and noise. Talk to the editor of Dan’s – she lived near there and said even without all the build up it was ridiculously LOUD. Oh, and David… I went to the dark side ages ago.
LOL.
David,
You are right. We live in America, where businesses can make applications and ELECTED officials can exercise the will of the people and make decisions on behalf of what the majority of residents want, or in this case don’t want. And if those elected officials make enough “wrong” decisions, the residents have the ability to vote them out. So why don’t you run for zoning board and your buddies can sell more candy bars. I can see your campaign now, promising to put a 7-11 on every corner