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Farmingdale neighbors press board over proposed Bisou event venue; decision reserved
Summary
Neighbors raised late-night noise, parking and light concerns about a proposed event venue in Farmingdale; applicant Michelle Cole outlined safety measures and a fire marshal report was entered into the record. The Town of Babylon board closed the hearing and left the record open for further review.
Several Farmingdale residents urged the Town of Babylon Board of Appeals on Dec. 5 to hold a proposed event venue to strict safety and inspection standards and to protect the quiet of a nearby 55-and-over complex. Linda Moody of 165 Genova Court told the board her bedroom faces the property and said she fears “100 people spill[ing] out into the backyard” late at night.
Other nearby residents, including Michael Prestea (159 Genova Court) and Phyllis Miller (163 Genova Court), expressed similar worries about late-night noise, lighting and on-site parking. Miller asked the board to require valet parking in the permit so patrons would not park near residents’ homes.
Supporters also spoke. Daphne Wilson and others described the applicant, Michelle Cole, as a long-standing event operator who has hosted large and charitable events without disturbances and who provides community services.
Applicant Michelle Cole told the board she intends to be “a good neighbor,” has contracted a valet service that works with other Route 110 restaurants, and is installing fire and safety equipment. “That system that is going in is $65,000,” Cole said of a sprinkler/fire system being put in starting the next day.
The board read a fire marshal’s report dated Dec. 5, 2024 into the record and asked for time to review it and other materials. One board member proposed delaying action until early January to allow technical review and to draft conditions. The board closed the public hearing, left the record open for additional documents and reserved its decision rather than approving the application that night.
What happens next: the record is open for the applicant and counsel to submit requested documentation (photometric plan, floor plan, and fire-marshal follow-up); the board will revisit the application at a future meeting once those items are reviewed.
