Town of Babylon Zoning Board approves several variances and special permits, reserves others

The Town of Babylon Zoning Board of Appeals on Tuesday heard more than a dozen applications and returned mixed outcomes: the board approved several applications with conditions, voted a negative declaration and a one‑year special‑use approval for an adult/retail tenant, and reserved decisions on multiple other matters pending outside agency reviews.

The board approved application 24‑154, filed by Jacqueline DeSantis of West Babylon, for a second‑story addition above the existing footprint of a single‑family, owner‑occupied house. A board member made the motion to approve and the board voted in favor.

On application 24‑156, for Kavett Weaver of Amityville seeking a dormer, the board first voted to delete two requested variances related to a patio/concrete area and an existing shed, then approved the application as amended. The approval included conditions that the basement be used for storage only (no living, cooking, or sleeping) and that the shed be relocated to a conforming location.

The board granted application 24‑162 for a new owner‑occupied single‑family dwelling on Smith Street (lot area noted at approximately 7,419.18 square feet). Attorney Nicole Blanda said the proposal includes a two‑story, four‑bedroom home with an open undivided basement; the applicant requested front‑yard and rear‑yard variances (proposed front yard as 19 feet and rear yard as 20.55 feet). The board approved the application subject to covenant restrictions and plan memo conditions.

For commercial matters, the board heard a sign proposal from LG Lindenhurst Associates (application 24‑151) to add a second directory sign at a shopping center (corner of Spiegelhagen and Wellwood avenues). The applicant (Graham Weber) said the sign would duplicate tenant listings already on the existing sign and support upcoming openings, including a 5 Below. The board reserved decision and kept the record open pending renewal documentation noted in the planning memo.

The board also considered Mendusa Playhouse Corp (application 24‑159) for a special exception to permit adult/retail use at a West Babylon location. Attorney Bernard J. Zimnotch said interior alterations had been made and the building department had issued permits; the board first voted a negative declaration for environmental review and then approved the special permit for a period of one year.

Several residential applications were held or reserved for outside review. The board kept the record open for Suffolk County Planning on application 24‑153 (Richard and Melissa Pelletier; shed request), application 24‑152 (Nick Colasacco; legalize finished basement and accessory apartment process), application 24‑155 (Ivan India; large addition and garage tied to a paper street/setback concern), and application 24‑158 (New Security Collision; fire marshal items and county planning). In several cases, board members asked applicants to return with documentation (for example, confirmation in writing from the environmental department that a nearby paper street will not be built) or to submit accessory‑apartment applications before the zoning board made a decision.

Board procedure and next steps The board began by reviewing hearing procedures, including affidavit of posting and the rule that decisions may be reserved while outside agency reviews are pending. For applications that were reserved, the board kept records open for Suffolk County Planning and the Fire Marshal and instructed applicants to submit any additional documentation to the zoning board office; applicants will be notified of decisions by mail.

What the decisions mean Approved variances and special permits permit applicants to move forward with the next required steps (for example, obtaining building permits from the Building Department). Approvals that included covenant restrictions or conditions (such as no habitable space in basements or relocation of nonconforming sheds) will be enforced through the site plan/permit and follow‑up inspections. Items reserved at the meeting will return for final action after the required external reviews or submission of requested paperwork.