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Babylon accessory-apartment board approves 37 permit renewals, reminds owners of occupancy rule
Summary
The Town of Babylon Accessory Apartment Review Board approved applications and renewals for accessory apartments, including four in public hearings and a batch of 37 renewals by affidavit, and reiterated that such permits require owner-occupancy; one neighbor voiced concerns about rental-related deterioration.
The Town of Babylon Accessory Apartment Review Board voted to approve multiple accessory-apartment applications and renewals at its Aug. 5, 2025, meeting, granting individual approvals after public hearings and approving a consent list of renewals by affidavit for 37 properties.
The decisions matter because accessory-apartment permits carry an owner-occupancy requirement and allow secondary dwelling units in single-family neighborhoods; the board reiterated timeline and renewal rules for applicants.
At the start of the evening the board conducted in-person public hearings for individual applicants, including Saeed Hack of 19 Toysome Lane in Deer Park, Gregory and Jennifer Pablo of 56 Wilson Avenue in Amityville, Erica Soymond of 5 Denton Place in Farmingdale, and Puja Mohes and Nicholas Poran of 113 Hughes Lane in North Babylon. Each applicant swore an oath, confirmed submission of required documents (affidavit of posting, proof of inspection and identity, and utility or billing statements), and answered questions about where the accessory unit is located and whether it is occupied. The board approved each of those applications after motions and seconds: Hack (motion by Pete; second by Lamont), the Pablos (motion by Lamont; second by Pete), Soymond (motion by Stephanie; second by Saba), and the Mohes/Poran (motion by Carolyn; second by Keith). In each case the board called for the sign to be removed and said the permit should arrive in a couple of weeks and will be subject to renewal in three years.
During the Mohes/Poran hearing a nearby resident, Gerard Martier of 14 Westwood Drive, spoke during public comment to urge the board to ensure owner-occupancy and to avoid the kind of deterioration he said his block experienced when properties were not owner-occupied. "My fear about this is in regards to rentals in general, in regards to the neighborhood," Martier said. He told the board a house on his block had "deteriorated to the point of disgust," and said confirming owners live in permitted properties "changes everything because it's their property and they care." The applicants told the board they have been living in the home for about a year and a half and said they were renewing a permit so current tenants would not be displaced.
Board staff read a long consent list of renewals and affidavit-based transfers. The board then voted on that list, approving items called by staff (numbered on the agenda through 37) by voice vote following a motion to approve by Stephanie and a second by Carolyn. The board also approved two transfers by affidavit that staff presented. Later the board approved the minutes of the July 22, 2025, meeting; that motion passed with one abstention from Carolyn.
The board repeatedly reminded applicants of the owner-occupancy requirement. At one hearing the board chair summarized procedural next steps: "Your application has been approved. You can remove your sign ... expect your permit in a couple of weeks, renewal in 3 years." Board members also noted staff-confirmed inspection dates and documentation on the record for individual files.
No application was denied at the meeting. The board concluded by approving a motion to adjourn and announcing its next meeting for Aug. 19, 2025.
