Elmont: getting sweeter?

Stein explained plans for developing an IHOP store near the intersection of Hempstead Turnpike and Hill Avenue in Elmont on Jan. 3.

Courtesy Carl Achille

Alan Stein, second from left, Daniel Chun, Muzzio Tallini and Pat Nicolosi.

Courtesy Carl Achille

A rendering by Daniel Chun of an IHOP store that would be constructed near the intersection of Hempstead Turnpike and Hill Avenue in Elmont, under Chun's proposal.

Jackie Nash/Herald

Alan Stein, a local attorney and partner of IHOP franchisee Daniel Chun, explained plans for developing an IHOP store near the intersection of Hempstead Turnpike and Hill Avenue in Elmont on Jan. 3, at a local civic meeting.

Jackie Nash/Herald

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The construction of a new International House of Pancakes in Elmont could begin in less than one year if a parking variance is approved by the Town of Hempstead’s Zoning Board of Appeals.

For the past several weeks, IHOP franchisee Daniel Chun and his attorney, Alan Stein of Valley Stream, have been working on plans to construct an IHOP store near the intersection of Hempstead Turnpike and Hill Avenue in Elmont, on the north side of the turnpike — in a nearly 40-year-old property that once housed a Blockbuster store. Those plans have been discussed over the past several weeks and were formerly announced on Jan. 3, at the Elmont East End Civic Association’s regular meeting.

“It will put a little bit of Elmont on the map,” Stein said last week. “People know where IHOPs are; these kinds of restaurants attract people to a community.”

Stein added that, under Chun’s development plans, no additional square footage will be added to the building. Rather, interior and exterior alterations will be made to the building.

According to Stein, he and Chun have submitted a parking variance request to the Town of Hempstead. He explained that 54 spaces are required by the town for the site — a number that is based on the building’s square footage and number of seats — and Chun is proposing to provide 30, under the plan.

Chun and Stein will not be permitted to begin development until the variance has been approved. The town’s Zoning Board of Appeals is scheduled to hold a hearing in regard to the variance on Jan. 11.

The existing parking lot would be utilized, and lines would be repainted, under the plan, he added. Additionally, he said, nearby businesses, such as the Elmont Funeral Home, have agreed to share parking with the IHOP when needed, and visa versa.

“We will easily be able to maintain parking on-site and across the street,” Stein said, adding that he and Chun have spoken to several Elmont business owners located near the potential IHOP site, and the plan has received wide support. “We’re not trying to compete with the businesses here,” he said. “You’re going to be bringing a lot of people into the community, not just driving by.”