A group of longtime residents in New Hyde Park are opposing a plan to return a former gas station to service -- but this isn't your typical 'not in my backyard story' because there's history behind the concern.

Residents who live on or around a stretch of Lakeville Road are not happy with the current state of the property, which has become an eyesore.

"I like it clean," says resident John Unger. "I don't like this garbage."

However, residents are also against a plan to make the former gas station operational again. They attended a North Hempstead Board of Zoning Appeals meeting Wednesday to express their opposition to a request to simply allow new signage and a canopy.

As News 12 has reported, the story of the gas station began back in July 2015 when the company that operated Lakeville Towing at the site was illegally towing big trucks in and out of the neighborhood and that didn't sit well with residents.

After the News 12 report, the operator of Lakeville Towing was evicted from the property by the town.

Neighbors like Mike Dieguez tell News 12 the property has been vacant ever since.

"Frankly, the only reason I think we were successful is because of your participation, News 12 putting a spotlight on it," says Dieguez.

The new plan doesn't involve towing and the ownership's attorney points out that the property has operated as a gas and service station for the better part of 60 years. Still, the property is zoned as residential and that's how neighbors want it to stay.

The zoning board didn't make any decisions on the signage and canopy requests. Ultimately, the North Hempstead Town Board will decide on the project.

News 12 reached out to the new ownership but didn't hear back.