Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Town of Babylon public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
34 issues
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.
Commercial Signage Compliance
JSP Realty Group wants to enlarge and raise a directory sign in East Farmingdale's industrial corridor — 72 square feet and 18 feet tall instead of 50 square feet and 15 feet.
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.
North Lindenhurst two-lot subdivision on Heathcote Road
A 120' x 140' parcel would be split into two 60-foot-wide lots, keeping and altering the existing house and adding a new two-story home.
Proposed veterinary hospital in Copiague
Marlow Realty Corp. wants a special exception permit to run a veterinary hospital at Great Neck Road and Cedar Court, with five parking spaces instead of the eight normally required.
Rental Property Permits and Compliance
Several rental owners had to commit to fixing fences, driveways, debris and paint before getting permits — the board holds permits hostage to property upkeep. Owners get until December 16, 2026 to comply.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Proposed four-tenant retail strip center in Lindenhurst
Mikot Property LLC was scheduled to appear at a public hearing for a proposed 2,964-square-foot retail strip center with four tenant spaces on Merrick Road in Lindenhurst. The project could add new neighborhood retail options and change traffic patterns along the 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.
Parlay's Lounge bar approval in West Babylon
Parlay's Lounge sought to legally maintain interior alterations converting the space to a 29-seat bar on Sunrise Highway in West Babylon. The hearing would address whether the establishment complies with town requirements.
Property Maintenance and Unsafe Structure Enforcement
The board approved emergency board-up and cleanup of two blighted structures, though a speaker said the Wheatley Heights property has already been remediated.
Daytime Scheduling of Tax Cap Hearing
Dozens of speakers complained that holding the tax cap hearing at 3 p.m. on a weekday locked out working residents, and many demanded an evening meeting. The board acknowledged the concern and noted future meetings.
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.
Proposed Stop-Sign Camera Enforcement Program
A couple suggested the town install stop-sign cameras like one in Saddle Rock that reportedly generated over $434,000 in ticket revenue, as a way to offset taxes. The board agreed to send the idea to its traffic safety committee.
Speeding on Claremont Avenue, West Babylon
A resident reported speeding between Hampton and Claremont Avenues, a killed dog, and a request for a speed hump; the board agreed to refer it to the traffic safety committee.
Disposal of Adjacent Parcel at 3487 Gravenick Road, Amityville
A resident says she's been trying since 2014 to buy the vacant parcel next door, has a paid appraisal, and now hears the water authority may want it. She asked to meet with the town attorney.
Amendments to Uniform Code of Traffic Ordinances
Three hearings covered amendments to Chapters 2 and 3 of the traffic code. No members of the public spoke, and decisions were reserved.
Hotel planned for former theater overflow lot
Blumenfeld Development Group wants covenants lifted so the unused overflow parking lot across Route 110 can be decoupled from the Regal UA theater site, which cut nearly half its seats in 2015. Decision was reserved.
2027 Preliminary Budget and Tax Cap Override
The proposed 2027 budget would pierce the state 2% property tax cap, adding roughly $114.71 for the average non-village homeowner, and includes large raises for elected officials. Nearly 30 residents spoke against it, and the board reserved decision rather than voting.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Public-hearing sign posting requirement
Two Deer Park and Wheatley Heights applications were adjourned simply because the owners didn't post their hearing signs properly — a reminder that sign posting is mandatory for these hearings.
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.
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.
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.