At a special Town of Babylon meeting Saturday, Oct. 26, the town board opened two public hearings on the draft environmental impact statement and a requested change of zone for the proposed 100‑acre Suffolk Technology Park, a development proposed by Bristol Suffolk LLC.

The developer and its consultants described the project and mitigation plans and read economic estimates from the DEIS. "Bristol Group is willing to invest more than $240,000,000 on our island to create a business park," project counsel Grama Weber told the board, citing DEIS figures that estimate about 767 construction jobs and roughly 1,958 permanent jobs at full buildout and projected annual property tax revenue of about $5.6 million (with an estimated $3.6 million going to the Wyandanch school district).

The DEIS and applicant team presentations also outlined a community benefits package that they said includes multi‑year cash contributions to civic associations, recurring holiday support, scholarships, a community solar program meant to supply credits to area residents and a commitment to include Windanch Memorial High School in the solar program. "They are voluntarily connecting this project to public sewers," said Carrie O'Farrell of Nelson, Pope & Voorhees, describing a connection the consultants said reduces groundwater impacts compared with on‑site septic alternatives.

Residents and local organizations provided extensive oral testimony, both for and against the project. Supporters — including union representatives and the Long Island Builders Institute — emphasized job creation and new tax revenue. Several speakers from civic groups also submitted written statements of support for the record.

Opponents warned of traffic and truck volumes on Little East Neck Road and Colonial Springs Road, potential impacts to groundwater and the location of the project's recharge basin near residential backyards, and light and noise from large buildings and truck courts. Multiple speakers asked for stronger guarantees on timing and limits for deliveries, truck routing, and construction hours. Several residents urged more infrastructure benefits for Wheatley Heights and Wyandanch, such as sewer or gas connections. A number of commenters raised concerns about gravesites in Pine Lawn Cemetery and asked how burial sites and heritage resources will be preserved and made accessible.

"Don't put things in our area that affects everyone," Chris Black, president of the Concerned Taxpayers of Wheatley Heights Dix Hills Civic Association, told the board as he urged the town to consider additional community benefits and safeguards.

Board members and staff told speakers that every comment will be included in the final environmental impact statement and that the town will require written responses as part of the SEQR review. The town also noted another opportunity for verbal comment at a regular town board meeting on Nov. 14 and kept the written comment record open through Nov. 25, 2024.

After public remarks, the board voted procedurally to close the public hearings and "reserve decision" while staff compiles the transcript and the applicant and consultants prepare responses. The board also approved a separate resolution "authorizing the sale of certain property" by a recorded roll‑call vote of 5‑0 (Councilmen Mineta, Martinez, McSweeney, Gregory and Supervisor Rich Schaffer voting yes).

Next steps: the town will publish responses to comments in a final environmental impact statement, prepare a findings statement and schedule further board consideration of the zoning and site plan after that process is complete. Residents who raised specific questions (for example, North 28th Street neighbors) were told the applicant will meet directly with those groups and provide written responses.

This hearing recorded a wide range of substantive concerns and mitigation promises; the town has left its record open to gather additional written comments through Nov. 25, 2024, and will address each comment in the final EIS and findings statement.