Babylon · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Town of Babylon public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Proposed recreational cannabis dispensary in North Babylon
A retail marijuana dispensary is proposed at 1258 Deer Park Avenue in a zone where the use isn't permitted, and the applicant wants buffer distances to homes and places minors congregate cut dramatically. The hearing will shape whether cannabis retail comes to this commercial corridor.
Proposed Self-Storage Facility at Former Deer Park Bowling Alley
Angel 6 LLC wants to build a 35-foot self-storage building on Grand Boulevard with far less parking and a much smaller buffer to a neighboring home. Residents near the site may weigh in on height and buffering concerns.
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.
Residential Setback and Expansion Variances in Copiague and North Babylon
Homeowners across the town are seeking approval for additions, patios, and accessory structures that exceed standard lot coverage or encroach on setbacks. These requests often aim to legalize preexisting conditions or accommodate growing family needs.
Gas station sign variances in Wyandanch and Lindenhurst
Two gas stations received renewals of previously granted sign variances, keeping taller and larger signs in place.
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.
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.
Commercial Signage Compliance
Raising Cane's requested several sign variances for its new East Farmingdale location, including taller signs, extra wall signs, and menu boards, sparking discussion about commercial branding versus town sign codes.
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.
New bar at 608 Sunrise Highway (The Pour House)
A longtime bar/restaurant spot on Sunrise Highway is changing hands, and the new operator needs a special exception permit for the change of tenancy. The operator runs two other local bars and says she's working with the town to come into compliance; a parking issue goes to the Zoning Board November 12.
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.
Youth Soccer League Field Access at Tanner Park
Representatives of a local youth soccer organization expressed frustration over a lack of field availability at Tanner Park, stating their 150+ town-resident children were forced to play away games throughout September while town fields remained largely unoccupied.
Neighborhood Cut-Through Traffic from Colonial Road Closure
Residents from Neptune Avenue raised serious safety concerns about heavy commercial and cut-through traffic flooding their residential streets following the recent dead-end closure of Colonial Road. They requested that the town either reopen Colonial Road or convert Neptune Avenue to a one-way street.
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.
Covenant Decoupling and Parking Adjustment for Farmingdale Commercial Site
The owners of the Regal UA theater property in East Farmingdale requested to lift restrictive covenants on a separate overflow parking lot because theater seating was reduced years ago. A hotel is now proposed for that overflow lot.
Electric Vehicle Charger and Renewable Energy Regulations
Residents urged the town to extend its moratorium on battery energy storage systems, citing serious fire risks, toxic firefighting runoff, and potential water supply contamination based on past incidents in East Hampton.
Veterans Property Tax Exemption
A disabled veteran addressed the board regarding the implementation of the 100% property tax exemption for combat-disabled veterans. Town officials clarified that the town is working with the tax assessor and town attorney to adopt the exemption for town taxes while noting that school districts must also adopt it.
Driveway Zoning and Curb Cut Regulations
The town is enforcing zoning limits that restrict homes to a single curb cut, requiring some landlords to remove extra driveways or plant grass over gravel areas.
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.
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.
Traffic and pedestrian safety at Deer Park Avenue and Long Island Avenue
Conklin Street residents told the board the Deer Park Ave/Long Island Ave intersection is a 'death trap' with past fatalities, blind exits, and car-wash backups. They want the Long Island Avenue driveway relocated or closed and better controls at the Seaman Place right-of-way.
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.