Neighbors press Town of Babylon to investigate repeated rental permits at 75 Emerson Avenue; board delays decision

At the Town of Babylon Rental Review Board meeting in February 2025, several neighbors urged the board to investigate a long-running dispute over rental activity at 75 Emerson Avenue in North Babylon, and the board voted to extend the case to July 30 to allow further inquiry. The extension was made by a motion from Board member Maria Idisi and seconded by Janina Martinez; the board voted in favor.

The complaint record presented to the board included claims that the property’s owner had allowed four rental permits to expire over the past decade and that neighborhood complaints and police reports had been filed. Neighbor Dave Castellano, who said he has lived in the neighborhood since 1953, told the board, “I have been dealing with this for 15 years.” Castellano said he and other neighbors believe the owner is absentee and that past permit expirations mean the rental activity was not being properly renewed.

Applicant Gustavus Heyer, who identified himself for the record, and an attorney appearing with the applicant said the property has passed recent inspections and that they were in compliance with current permit requirements. Daniela Giordano, who stated she is an attorney, told the board inspectors had visited multiple times and had shown the property met the town’s standards.

Board members and the town staff said they will review town files, police records and prior permit history before the next hearing. The board’s motion directed the town to investigate outstanding issues and report back at the July 30 meeting; the motion language was recorded as “Motion to extend until July 30 for the town to have an opportunity to investigate.”

The discussion distinguished past complaints from the item currently before the board: board members said they would treat the current application on its own merits while allowing staff to gather and report historical records. Neighbors said they may pursue legal action if the town’s process does not address their concerns.

The board did not make a final permit decision at the meeting and left the record open pending the investigation. The town attorney Richard Shafer was referenced by neighbors as having prior correspondence about the case; the board asked staff to assemble the files and bring findings to the next scheduled meeting.

Less critical details: neighbors requested that the town review prior citations, photos and police reports they said were in the town files; the applicant said he had maintained the property and spending on renovations was “well over $200” per his remarks at the hearing.