CoolFox seeks parking and outdoor‑storage relief for refrigerated‑van shop; board asks for fire‑marshal review and clarifies where outdoor storage is permitted

CoolFox LLC, a refrigerated‑van manufacturing and modification business, brought four zoning requests to the Town of Babylon Zoning Board of Appeals on Sept. 25, 2025: a special permit for a public‑garage‑type use, a parking variance (seeking 23 stalls vs. 28 required), an outdoor‑storage allowance for the rear lot and an amendment to show a spray booth in the operation. The board closed the hearing and left the record open for additional technical items, including fire‑marshal review.

Owner Joseph Fuchs described CoolFox’s work: the company insulates and outfits new vans with refrigeration units, generally taking three to four weeks per vehicle as it rotates through the shop. Fuchs said most incoming vehicles are new and that the business does not work on junk vehicles. He told the board the operation employs 12 people and does not conduct painting or hazardous‑materials processes in a way that would create large quantities of waste oil or similar byproducts. He said the firm does have a spray‑foam operation inside the building and that the Fire Marshal recommended updates to suppression and alarm systems.

Board members and staff reviewed site‑plan details. The board clarified that outdoor storage is only permitted in the rear yard behind fencing per town rules; storing vehicles in the front yard or on the street would require a separate, re‑advertised variance. The applicant agreed that no vehicles would be staged in the front yard and that outdoor storage should match the site plan. Fire‑marshal and environmental control memos identified measures and documentation the applicant must provide, and the board asked the applicant to work with planning staff and the fire marshal. The board closed the public hearing, reserved decision and left the record open while the applicant pursues the required permits and fire‑safety upgrades.