Carmen Henriquez is reporting for The Columbia Paper the Livingston Planning Board held a hearing March 6, to receive public opinion on the proposed Global Partners gas station and store slated to be built at the intersection of U.S. Route 9 and state Routes 9H/23 and 82. Global Partners, the owner of the Xtra Mart chain, has submitted an application to construct a gas station and convenience store on the northeast corner of that intersection. The building would measure 4,800 square feet and include 16 gasoline dispensing locations and a 4,000 square-foot canopy, two diesel dispensing locations with a 1,000 square-foot canopy, two enter/exit driveways on Route 9H and one on Route 9, 32 parking spaces and a diesel island truck queue. Community members who spoke at the meeting expressed concerns about the impact of the proposed project. A group called Livingston Concerned Citizens, headed by Pam Kline, reports that it has 60 core members and 100 auxiliary members. The community is arguing for a positive declaration, which would necessitate a full environmental impact study. Two of the 17 speakers at the hearing spoke in favor of the proposal. Those concerned about the proposal say the Global Partners’ application is not complete. Global Partners did not attend the meeting, but a representative is expected to be at the next one, on April 3. Read the full story in The Columbia Paper.