Hearing Set On New Hyde Park Harley-Davidson Dealership Proposal

NEW HYDE PARK, NY — A public hearing is planned this month on a yearslong plan to build a Harley-Davidson sales and repair facility in New Hyde Park. Verbal and written comments will be accepted at the Nov. 21 meeting, which will begin at 7:30 p.m. at Village Hall.

Lifelong Cycles in Great Neck first proposed building the dealership on Jericho Turnpike, near Herkomer Street, four years ago. Plans have been altered to satisfy concerns from residents and officials.

The latest proposal calls for demolishing an existing plumbing and heating business and associated buildings and constructing a two-story, 17,090 square-foot Harley Davidson sales and service center in the shape of an "L." The ground floor would be used for sales while the second floor would contain office space. A cellar would be used as a service center.

On-site parking would be located north of the building next to Jericho Turnpike, according to a draft of an Environmental Impact Statement last revised in September.

The proposed design allows for landscaping and lawn along the north, south and east sides of the site. Demolition and construction would take about a year, the impact statement said. Putting the finishing touches on the inside would take another four months, for a total project time of 16 months.

To reduce construction-related noise, consultants proposed installing temporary sound barriers during construction. Noise analysts found that increased motorcycle traffic after the dealership is built is also not expected to impact neighbors, particularly given that they found sound levels in the area are "already elevated" due to noise from cars, trucks, buses and motorcycles on Jericho Turnpike, as well as from passing Long Island Rail Road trains.

"In this acoustic environment, the noise due to the presence of additional motorcycle trips to and from the proposed dealership does not exceed the levels already experienced at each receiver and is not expected to increase the sound level further in these locations," the impact statement said.