Babylon zoning board hears variance to keep century‑old garage as part of Copiague mixed‑use project

The Town of Babylon Zoning Board of Appeals on May 8 heard application 25060, in which the applicant seeks a rear‑yard setback variance to retain an existing two‑story garage built in 1920 as part of a proposed three‑story mixed‑use redevelopment on Great Neck Road in Copiague.

The variance request is driven by a 20‑foot access easement that, the applicant’s attorney said, would terminate if the garage is demolished. Nicole Blanda, attorney for the applicant, told the board: "As long as the garage exists, the easement remains." She said the required rear‑yard setback in the zone is 15 feet and "this building is at 0.8," and that the garage would be used as a carport and a real‑estate management office limited to site management functions.

Board members and residents focused on traffic and parking. Resident Susan Giruso told the board, "You're gonna try to come out and make a left when all of those cars are...…