Babylon · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Town of Babylon public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Winters 19 Nancy Transfer Station Redevelopment
Stericycle's permit to keep running a red-bag medical waste transfer station on Sherwood Avenue expires October 28, 2026, and renewal is on this docket. The use is non-permitted in the zone, so the board must decide whether it can continue.
Accessory Apartment Applications Review
The Accessory Apartment Review Board is scheduled to evaluate five new permit applications across West Babylon, Farmingdale, Deer Park, and North Amityville. These hearings give neighbors a chance to weigh in on proposed changes to local housing.
Legalization of Unpermitted Residential Improvements
Two Copiague homes were found to have unpermitted additions discovered after purchase. The board granted after-the-fact variances with conditions to bring the properties into legal compliance.
Minor Subdivision and New Single-Family Homes in North Babylon
A single father and caretaker of his elderly mother won approval to expand the second floor of their Foster Boulevard home so she can have her own room.
Proposed Automated Car Wash on Route 110
A proposed fully automated car wash on Route 110 in North Amityville hit a snag: decades-old covenants from an unbuilt medical office plan still cloud the property. The board will lift those and impose new, modern conditions if it approves.
Single-tenant renovation of 1000 New Horizons Blvd
A vacant 235,000-square-foot aerospace building in North Amityville will be renovated for one large tenant doing light manufacturing and distribution, instead of the four-tenant split approved in April. The scaled-back plan disturbs far less land and needs smaller variances, and the applicant wants a decision fast to hit a January building-permit target.
Rental Property Permits and Compliance
The board evaluated two new rental properties to ensure they meet town codes and standards for rental housing in Deer Park.
Rental Property Accountability and Neighborhood Compatibility at 1473 2nd St.
Residents testified about severe neighborhood impacts caused by absentee landlords renting out properties without proper permits, resulting in police calls, unpermitted businesses, and illegal multi-family occupancy. The board reinforced that landlords must maintain compliance and cannot shift the burden of policing tenants onto neighbors.
Industrial Expansion and Outdoor Storage in West Babylon
Arsenal Scaffold is seeking approval to legalize outdoor storage and building modifications at two industrial facilities in West Babylon. The company employs over 100 local workers and has invested heavily in the community, but the proposals require parking variances and special exception permits.
Next Generation Sports Complex Proposal on Route 110
A developer is proposing a large indoor sports complex on Broad Hollow Road with turf fields, basketball courts, and retail space. The board discussed parking arrangements, building height, and traffic management.
Accessory Apartment Applications and Renewals
The board reviewed and approved several new accessory apartment permits and affidavit renewals across multiple town neighborhoods, ensuring compliance with local housing codes.
Deer Park Motor Inn renovation and rebranding
A 53-year-old motel with a 'notorious reputation' would get a $2 million renovation, new facade, new parking layout, and professional management under a Choice Hotels Quality Motel franchise. The board likes the cleanup but wants to review the details before deciding.
Parking shortfall and 14-space variance for Metro PT/cafe project
The project needs 38 spaces under town code but provides only 24, requiring a Zoning Board variance. Neighbors worry overflow will land on Conklin Street; the applicant's traffic studies say peak demand fits, and members pressed for enforcement and overnight security conditions.
Industrial Redevelopment and Parking Land-Banking in North Amityville
The owners of 5 Gear Avenue in Lindenhurst are seeking to legalize an industrial building's parking and use with two primary tenants: an auto body repair shop and an online car sales business. The proposal includes removing old trucking operations, upgrading landscaping, and improving site traffic flow.
Historical Burial Protection in North Amityville
Representatives from the Montauk Indian Nation and local residents testified that a residential pool application at 30 Devine Place borders an unmarked historical burial ground. They asked the town to require ground-penetrating radar to ensure graves are not disturbed by construction.
Car Dealership Expansion and Parking Variances in Copiague
A restaurant on Farmingdale Road received approval to expand its seating and hibachi area with a modified parking requirement.
Industrial Business Relocation and Expansion
Stasi Brothers is relocating its asphalt division from Westbury to 699 Albany Avenue in North Amityville, bringing commercial investment and site beautification while requiring parking and outdoor storage variances.
Commercial Drive-Thru Development in West Babylon
Developers are proposing the first Caribou Coffee in the Northeast on Route 110 in Farmingdale, featuring a drive-thru and change of zone. The board reviewed traffic impacts, parking layout, and neighbor buffering during a public hearing.
Industrial Warehouse Construction on Marconi Boulevard
Patalan 650 Mechanical proposed constructing a 5,000-square-foot industrial warehouse building on Marconi Boulevard in Copiague. The site previously suffered from illegal dumping, and the project involves clearing debris, constructing a retaining wall, and providing truck access and parking.
Mixed-Use Redevelopment on Route 109
Developers are proposing a 9-unit senior citizen apartment building at 195 Farmingdale Road, requiring several major variances for lot area, setbacks, and recreation space. Neighboring library trustees expressed strong safety and traffic concerns regarding tight access points and potential overflow parking.
Proposed Contractor Industrial Building on Skidmore Road
Residents spoke out against a proposed multi-tenant industrial building in Deer Park, raising worries about increased traffic, early morning noise, and neighborhood quality of life.
Commercial Parking and Site Maintenance on Connor Lane
The board enacted new traffic safety rules, establishing a 20 mph school speed zone near Edmund W. Miles Middle School and adjusting parking restrictions across local hamlets to improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety.
Commercial Vehicle Storage Expansion in Copiague
Residents testified that commercial vans are being dispatched from residential rental properties, creating parking congestion and early morning noise in neighborhoods.
Commercial Vehicle Storage and Tenancy Change on Commerce Boulevard
Neighbors complained that the rental property at 184 West 3rd Street was being used for commercial vehicle storage and unauthorized work. The board extended the permit decision to allow time for clean-up.
West Babylon Minor Subdivision Proposal (HPLN-37)
A proposed minor subdivision in West Babylon would split a 10,000-square-foot lot into two parcels, allowing an existing single-family house to remain while accommodating a new home. The planning board reviewed driveway layouts and required covenants to ensure proper site design and compliance.
Enterprise Rent-a-Car Facility on New Highway
ELRAC LLC is proposing a major regional hub for Enterprise Rent-A-Car on a 16.29-acre industrial site in East Farmingdale, replacing previously approved warehouses with vehicle storage, office space, and a light repair garage. The project requires major parking and outdoor storage variances because hundreds of rental cars will be staged on the property.
Wyandanch Title Clearance for Longtime Resident
A developer presented plans for a new single-family home in Wyandanch in direct partnership with the Long Island Housing Partnership, aiming to provide affordable homeownership opportunities on an undersized lot.
Saratoga Avenue Residential Subdivision & Privacy
A developer wants to split a single residential lot into two on Saratoga Avenue, but a long-time neighbor is worried about losing her privacy and having new houses built right next to her fence.
Residential Minor Subdivision in Wyandanch
A developer is seeking to split a 20,000 square foot lot into three parcels to build two new single-family homes while keeping an existing house. The board discussed sewer district connections and lot dimensions during the public hearing.
Blueberry Fields Residential Construction in Wheatley Heights
A developer received approval to build a new single-family home on a vacant 5,000-square-foot lot in Wheatley Heights, providing new housing while utilizing existing neighborhood lot dimensions.
Inquiries Regarding Bristol Technology Park Development
A resident questioned town officials regarding the nature of the approved Bristol Technology Park project, asking if it involves a data center or heavy industrial water use.