Babylon Zoning Board approves several home‑alteration variances, reserves decision on Kia sign

The Town of Babylon Zoning Board of Appeals on Feb. 18 approved a series of variances for homeowners seeking additions, porches and site adjustments, and left a commercial signage application for South Shore Kia under review.

Board members approved modest setbacks and porch-related variances for several single‑family properties and attached conditions intended to preserve neighborhood character, such as requiring that porticoes and decks not be enclosed and that nonconforming sheds or trailers be rebuilt in conforming locations if removed. The board closed public hearings on multiple items and issued written decisions or said applicants would receive decisions by mail; for the Kia sign application the board closed the hearing but reserved decision pending Suffolk County Planning and additional lighting information.

The approvals included: application 25‑019 (Amityville) approved with three conditions including internal access throughout the dwelling and that a portico remain unenclosed; a Renee Thomas application (filed by architect James Zapka) approved as amended with a condition that the front portico not be closed; a Deer Park porch variance approved to maintain an existing roof‑over‑porch and a condition not to enclose the porch; and other residential requests approved with conditions limiting enclosure and requiring relocation of outbuildings to conforming locations if rebuilt. For each approval the board noted that written decisions and any required permits must be obtained before construction or other work begins.

During the hearing on the South Shore Kia rebranding sign, tenant representatives explained the proposal replaces a larger, older pylon with a narrower, slightly taller monument sign reflecting new Kia brand standards and that the letters would be backlit. Neighbors raised concerns about potential brightness and the site’s proximity to a traffic light. The applicant said the proposed sign’s lighting would likely be less luminous than the existing sign but the board requested formal lighting calculations and noted that Suffolk County Planning review is required; the board closed the hearing and reserved decision.

Other commercial items were handled administratively or held pending outside reviews. Dunkin’s special‑use renewal hearing was closed and decision reserved pending Suffolk County Planning. A Walmart tire/oil change renewal prompted discussion of a fire marshal memo and county sanitary code compliance; the board amended the term of the prior approval (motioned to read as previously approved for one year rather than three) and left the file open pending receipt of the fire marshal and Suffolk County Planning memos. A tenant relocation and small commercial use (Bricks & Mini Figs) was presented; the board closed the hearing and left the record open for a required Suffolk County Planning memo.

The board repeatedly conditioned approvals on maintaining features in their current, non‑enclosed form (porticoes/porches/decks) and on relocating nonconforming sheds or trailers to conforming locations if they are removed and rebuilt. Where applicants requested accessory‑apartment permits or had builders file paperwork, the board clarified that accessory apartment approvals require separate permit filings and that internal access and single‑kitchen conditions must be maintained to avoid creating separate dwelling units.

Votes at a glance: - Application 25‑019 (Elaine Watson McGee, 51 Poplar Road, Amityville): Motion to approve carried. Conditions: portico not to be closed; internal access throughout dwelling; accessory‑apartment rules to be maintained if kitchens present. (Mover: Vice Chairwoman; second: not specified.) - Application 24R011 (Renee Thomas / James Zapka, Amityville): Motion to approve as amended carried. Condition: front portico not to be closed. (Mover: Vice Chairwoman; second: motion recorded as seconded.) - Application 325‑020 (William P. Bennett / Christa DeMaio, Deer Park): Motion to approve carried. Condition: front porch not to be enclosed. (Mover: board member; seconded; voice vote.) - Application 425‑15 (Bernardo and Maria Nunez, Amityville): Motion to approve carried with conditions that a shed, if ever taken down and replaced, be rebuilt in a conforming location and that the rear deck not be enclosed. (Mover: Vice Chairwoman; second: recorded.) - Application 24‑151: Withdrawn by applicant. - South Shore Kia (Nisha Holdings, LLC): Hearing closed; decision reserved pending Suffolk County Planning and formal lighting calculations from applicant. - Dunkin (Gaza Family Fund LLC): Hearing closed; decision reserved pending Suffolk County Planning. - Walmart (Metropolitan Tower Life Insurance Co., East Farmingdale): Board moved to amend the prior approval term (to reflect a one‑year term as previously approved); file held open pending fire marshal memo and Suffolk County Planning. - Mini Figs / Bricks & Mini Figs (Great South Bay Shopping Center): Hearing closed; record left open for Suffolk County Planning memo. - RJ Real Estate LLC (public garage, East Farmingdale): Hearing closed; record left open pending Suffolk County Planning and required permits; site plan work and covenants noted as completed with conditions (one outdoor trailer for tires allowed per approved site plan; merged lots to function as a continuous site).

Several residents spoke in favor of maintaining existing porch and facade features. David Borgade, who identified himself as living directly across the street from a subject property, told the board, "That house is perfect," when asked whether removing a side porch element would be desirable.

Board members reminded applicants that approvals do not replace required building department permits and emphasized that written decisions would follow; several items remain contingent on Suffolk County Planning or fire marshal sign‑off.

Provenance: Transcript excerpts from the Feb. 18, 2025 Zoning Board of Appeals meeting, including public hearings and motions, recorded on the board’s livestream.