Planning Board Hears Site-Plan for Joe's Complete Tree Service; Closes Hearing, Reserves Decision

The Town of Babylon Planning Board on Tuesday heard a public-site-plan application from Joe's Complete Tree Service proposing to develop a vacant parcel with a 300-square-foot office and outdoor storage area for up to six trucks.

Architect Harold Gebhardt, representing the applicant, said the client, Joe Massaro, bought the corner lot identified in application materials and plans to clear the site, add a driveway and parking for six vehicles and trucks. "It's a very small building, 300 square feet," Gebhardt said, describing the structure as wood-frame with an accessible restroom and space for office and storage.

Gebhardt told the board the site measures "just under 11,891 square feet" and noted code requirements and setbacks that will require an appearance before the Board of Appeals: "The code says I need 10,000 square feet" and he flagged a 30-foot front-yard setback on Mount Avenue that the project does not meet. He said the applicant intends to pursue the Board of Appeals for those variances.

Board members asked about operations and on-site activity. Gebhardt listed equipment to be stored — chippers, trailers, boom trucks and assorted trucks — and answered plainly when asked whether any chipping or vehicle maintenance would occur on the property: "No no work on-site. No work to the vehicles either on-site. Just storage." When counsel asked whether wood, wood chips or similar tree materials would be stored there, Gebhardt said, "Not to my knowledge. He has — he cuts the trees down, chops them up, gives them away, sells them — there probably won't be any here." The applicant stated proposed hours of operation would be 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, with no activity on Sundays.

The application materials shown to the board also note dumpster locations and that adjacent parcels are in the same GA zoning district, a point Gebhardt confirmed. The planning-department memo from Commissioner of Planning Denise Graziano (dated Dec. 4, 2024) was on the record and the applicant acknowledged having reviewed it.

After members questioned and discussed covenant language and follow-up coordination with staff, board member Julianne Nolan moved to close the public hearing; Jerry O'Neil seconded. The motion carried and the hearing was closed, with the board reserving its decision to review tonight's feedback and any outstanding site-plan comments. The chair said the record will remain open for additional written comments. Planning staff can be contacted at the Town Hall west wing for inspection of plans (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.), by phone at 631-957-3103, or via email at planningcomments@townofbabylon.com.

Next steps: the board reserved a formal decision pending review and required variances before the Board of Appeals; no vote on the site plan was taken at the hearing.