Town of Babylon board approves four accessory-apartment applications

At a Town of Babylon board meeting, members approved four accessory-apartment applications after each applicant swore an oath and answered questions about occupancy and supporting documents.

The approvals cover applications from Courtney Brown of 50 Putnam Avenue, Trojano Alvarado of 262 Chelsea Avenue, Norma Castro of 3030 First Street (with interpreter Jose Espinal), and Miguel Eduardo (Quintana) of 104 Madison Avenue. In each case the board recorded that applicants submitted the required affidavit of posting and identity and utility documents and confirmed owner-occupancy or the configuration of the accessory unit.

The board’s secretary, Sandra Thomas, told Courtney Brown, “Your application’s been approved. You can take down your sign,” and said Brown’s permit would arrive in about two weeks with renewal due in three years. Similar language and timing were used when the other applicants’ approvals were announced.

Why it matters: Accessory-apartment permits affect neighborhood housing supply and enforcement of owner-occupancy rules. The board’s routine approvals follow the town’s permitting process and preserve a record of compliance checks and required documentation.

Details from testimony and board review: - Courtney Brown said the accessory unit is a converted garage on the first floor and described it as a studio with one bedroom; she said it was not currently occupied. The secretary confirmed Brown had submitted a New York State driver’s license, a bank statement, a cable bill and an affidavit of posting dated January 7, 2025. - Trojano Alvarado testified the accessory unit is on the first floor (two bedrooms, one bathroom) and that it was empty at the time of the hearing. The board noted Alvarado submitted an affidavit of posting (inspection dated January 10, 2025) and identity and utility documents. - Norma Castro, assisted by an interpreter, said her accessory apartment is occupied by a single family and reported two bedrooms; the board recorded receipt of an affidavit of posting dated January 8, 2025 and supporting documents. - Miguel Eduardo (Quintana) said his accessory apartment is a lower-level unit in a ranch house with three bedrooms and that it was occupied by his father; the board noted an affidavit of posting dated January 23, 2025 and supporting documents.

The board asked standard questions about occupancy and unit layout and received no objections or competing testimony for these cases. Each motion to approve was seconded and carried with an affirmative voice vote. The board secretary advised successful applicants to remove posted signs and expect permit issuance in about two weeks and a renewal in three years.

The meeting proceeded after these approvals to more contested matters and a batch of renewals by affidavit.