Town of Babylon planning board reviews plan to convert Route 109 auto repair shop into retail cannabis dispensary

At an informational hearing April 28, 2025, the Town of Babylon Planning Board heard a proposal from Anthony Cavizzio of Shoreline Home Designs to convert an existing auto repair shop on Route 109 in the Town of Babylon into an adult‑use retail cannabis dispensary.

The applicant and the building owner described exterior and interior changes, security plans and parking arrangements; the board left the record open for written comments and directed that application materials remain available at Town Hall.

The hearing matters because the proposal requires both planning review and zoning relief for parking, and the board must weigh public‑safety and circulation questions before any final approvals or referrals. The applicant described changes to site utilities, pedestrian and vehicle circulation, and security measures intended to meet state cannabis rules.

Anthony Cavizzio, identifying himself as representing Shoreline Home Designs of Bellport, said the project would convert the repair shop to a combination light‑industrial/warehouse and retail space and would include connections to the sewer system, removal of the old septic system, new dry wells, new exterior lighting, new handicap and bicycle parking, interior offices, a warehouse, retail showroom, bathrooms, a lunch area and a fire‑suppression system.

Cavizzio told the board the applicant is proposing to provide 15 parking spaces and is seeking relief from the 20‑space requirement. "We're asking for a relief of 5," he said.

Rafael Chavez, the building owner, described security and on‑site operations. "We have a full security surveillance system that is run by an NVR that can record for up to 90 days as mandated by the New York office of cannabis," Chavez said. He said the business would staff on‑site security during hours of operation, initially with two guards, and that guards would verify IDs at an exterior kiosk or iPad before patrons enter. "Usually the kiosks have, like, you know, 1 of those, tents," he said when asked about bad weather.

When asked whether guards would be armed, Chavez said the guards would carry multiple items for deterrence and control: "They carry a gun, a, a non lethal gun, which shoots, like, pellets, or not pellets, a a hard BB... they also can... insert a pepper ball... and then the last, thing they carry is a taser." He confirmed guards would be on duty at the entrance and that the rear and sides of the site would be illuminated under the lighting plan.

Board members questioned circulation and entrance flow. Cavizzio said the retail entrance will be at the front of the building and that patrons will be routed past a check‑in kiosk; showroom doors between staff areas and the showroom will be locked so only staff can access back‑of‑house areas. On a question about a vestibule, a board member noted the applicant did not propose a two‑door vestibule; Cavizzio said ID checks would occur outside at the kiosk or, in bad weather, immediately inside the door if necessary.

Board staff flagged an April 22 memorandum from Denise Graziano, the commissioner of planning, and asked whether the applicant had reviewed it; Cavizzio said he had. Board staff also read a condition in the project covenants: "Number 19 of the covenant states hours of operation shall be subject to the conditions set forth by the zoning board of appeals upon review of the special permit," staff said.

Cavizzio said the anticipated hours of operation are roughly 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., "or whatever the state would allow." He identified the proposed licensees as Brian Whalen and Anita Hardoon, noting they are New York residents; he said he (Cavizzio) is representing the application and that his wife is an applicant on the license.

No members of the public addressed the board on the application during the hearing. Planning staff said the record would remain open for written comments and that application documents and plans can be reviewed in person at the Town Hall West Wing between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, or by phone at (631) 957‑3103 and by email to planningcomments@townofbabylonny.gov.

Next steps discussed at the hearing include the applicant’s need to pursue parking relief from the zoning board of appeals and continued planning review. The board did not take a vote at the informational hearing and left no final action on the record.