Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Town of Babylon public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
50 issues with high priority
Single-Family Home Rezoning in Amityville
A single 100' x 120' lot at Harrison Avenue and Rosewood Avenue would be divided in two, with the existing house demolished and two new two-story homes built. Neighbors may weigh in on lot size and neighborhood character.
Ten-unit apartment building proposed at West Babylon shopping center
A six-lot shopping center site at Little East Neck Road and Haab Avenue would be reconfigured into two lots, adding a two-story building with ten one-bedroom apartments next to the existing retail.
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.
Industrial Property Use Legalization and Parking on Wellwood Avenue
AV BX Group LLC's proposal to legally maintain an industrial building with warehouse, garage, and auto sales tenants was set for both a work session and resolution stage. The outcome affects uses at a prominent Lindenhurst corner.
Elected Officials' Salary Increases
The budget proposes raises of roughly 29.3% for Supervisor Schaffer, 13% for Receiver of Taxes, and 9.7% for Town Clerk — a figure speakers repeatedly called outrageous next to 3% Social Security increases and typical private-sector raises.
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.
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.
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.
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 two-story, 31,000-square-foot indoor sports facility with a turf field, basketball courts, pro shop and party rooms is coming to Broad Hollow Road. Parking is the big question — 96 on-site spots plus 65 borrowed spaces a half-mile away, with shuttle service promised for tournaments.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Retail Cannabis Dispensary Proposal on Edison Avenue
The planning board approved a site plan for an adult-use cannabis dispensary on Broadhollow Road in Farmingdale. The approval includes strict conditions on lighting, no truck idling, odor control, and rodent management.
Bolar Pharmaceutical Zone Change and Neighborhood Traffic
Residents living near Bolar Pharmaceutical's Copiague gum manufacturing plant testified that a persistent, piercing nighttime humming noise ruins their sleep and quality of life. While the company stated it repaired equipment and installed a custom muffler, neighbors and board members questioned whether industrial rezoning would worsen protections or accountability.
Commercial Parking and Site Maintenance in Industrial Zones
Discussions on cannabis and auto-related businesses highlighted ongoing challenges with overflowing commercial vehicles, unkempt properties, and parking shortages in industrial areas like Connor Lane.
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.
Late-Night Noise and Vehicle Enforcement
The Town Board addressed persistent late-night noise disturbances caused by loud vehicle sound systems in industrial and residential border areas. Officials highlighted aggressive police enforcement and possible equipment crushing to deter illegal street gatherings.
Auto Body Repair Shop Renewal and Neighborhood Relations
Several auto body repair shops operated by Best Way Auto Collision are seeking permit renewals, prompting town scrutiny over property upkeep and fire safety compliance.
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.
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.
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.
Municipal Personnel Appointments and Board Restructuring
The Town Board filled key administrative roles, appointing a new Town Clerk and Marriage Officer, and setting terms and compensation for plumbing and rental board members.
Flood Zone Concrete Coverage and Drainage in Lindenhurst
Homeowners at 8 Frank Street requested multiple variances to legalize existing pavers, a gazebo, and a finished basement following drainage improvements.
Church Conversion in Residential Neighborhood
A proposal to convert a former VFW hall into a church sparked neighbor concerns regarding traffic, parking congestion, and late-night noise.
Golf Simulator Entertainment Venue Proposal
A vacant retail space at Montauk Highway and Park Place in West Babylon is being transformed into a virtual golf simulator and bar called 'Fore and Pour'.
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 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.
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.
Vacant Lot Development and Precedent in Lindenhurst
A developer wants to build a new home on a vacant 40-foot lot on Linton Avenue, but neighbors and planning staff raised concerns about overbuilding and setting a bad precedent for substandard lots.
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.
Neighborhood Traffic and Congestion Concerns in North Lindenhurst
Neighbors pushed back against an accessory apartment application, pointing out that a nearby bus depot and tight street parking make adding more units a headache.
Copiague Downtown Revitalization Property Acquisition
The town is purchasing a commercial property on Marconi Boulevard using federal funds to boost the local downtown redevelopment plan.
Beach Replenishment Funding
The town is issuing a $2 million bond to buy sand and maintain local beaches like Cedar Beach and Overlook Park.
Great Neck Road Holdings Residential Subdivision
A developer is moving forward with a six-lot residential subdivision on Great Neck Road in Copiague, bringing new single-family homes and infrastructure improvements.
Residential Setback and Building Area Variances
Several homeowners sought variances to legalize existing structures like decks, sheds, porches, and finished basements or to build additions. These approvals help homeowners bring properties into compliance so they can sell or rent them out legally.
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.
Copiague Multi-Family Housing Development Rezoning
A proposal to rezone property on Montauk Highway from business to multi-residence to build an 8-unit apartment building and convert existing retail space into an apartment. Officials praised the design for beautifying a key corridor.
Wholesale Stone Gallery Development in East Farmingdale
1920 New Highway LLC is replacing a dilapidated dwelling with a modern 12,213-square-foot wholesale stone showroom to serve local architects and designers.
Community Concerns Over Hate Speech and Security
Community representatives raised alarms over anti-Muslim graffiti in Deer Park and subsequent hateful online commentary following police reports.
Commercial Chemical Storage and Neighborhood Health Concerns
Residents living near 61 Commerce Boulevard in Amityville voiced strong concerns about the safety of commercial chemical storage, wastewater runoff, and parking congestion associated with a tick and mosquito control business operating in an industrial-residential border area.
Industrial and Commercial Site Modifications
The board reviewed proposed landscaping, drainage, and curbing improvements for an existing gas station and convenience store in West Babylon.
Wyandanch Multi-Family Residential Expansion
Developers are seeking zoning variances to build dozens of new rental duplexes and single-unit buildings along Patton Avenue, sparking resident concerns about local traffic and parking congestion.
Crescent Group Realty Warehouse Construction
A developer wants to build a 20,000-square-foot manufacturing warehouse on South Strong Avenue in Copiague. Nearby residents raised concerns about increased truck traffic, noise, and neighborhood disruption, while the applicant agreed to route all heavy vehicle access through Shattuck Avenue.