Babylon Zoning Board approves several homeowner variances, places conditions on decks, porches and carports
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Summary
The Town of Babylon Zoning Board of Appeals approved multiple residential variance requests on Dec. 17, 2025, imposing conditions such as prohibitions on enclosing decks, porches and carports and requiring revised plans or lot‑mergers where applicable.
The Town of Babylon Zoning Board of Appeals approved a slate of homeowner zoning applications during its Dec. 17 meeting, placing conditions on a range of variances from decks and porches to accessory structures and a carport.
Several homeowners described personal or site‑specific needs during testimony, and the board approved five applications with conditions and amendments. The most immediate effect for applicants is the requirement to file revised plans or complete administrative steps — for example, lot‑merger paperwork or resubmitted site plans — before receiving final written approvals.
Karen, who spoke for application 25185 and gave her address as 162 North 21st Street, told the board the requested deck would allow her 91‑year‑old mother safer outdoor access. "The deck allows her to come outside, sit down, and enjoy the backyard," she said. The board approved that application with the explicit condition that the decks and gazebo not be enclosed.
The board amended and approved application 25225 (Thomas and Diane Greer) after correcting a lot‑coverage calculation and lowering the permitted coverage to 30 percent; the approval requires patios and pavers to maintain a 2‑foot conforming setback from all property lines. The board also approved a second‑story addition for the Harris family (application 25227) after the applicant and architect confirmed the home will remain a single‑family, owner‑occupied residence.
At another property (application 25228), representatives agreed to remove one of four small accessory sheds and accept a condition prohibiting enclosure of the new front porch; the board amended the accessory‑structure allowance and approved the request. A separate application for an unpermitted gazebo (25230) was approved on condition that any repair or replacement place the structure in a conforming location and that it not be enclosed.
One application involving an existing carport built without prior approvals (25229) produced a list of conditions from the board — merge two lot parcels, trim the carport back two feet from the lot line, and prohibit enclosure of both the gazebo and the carport — and the board asked for revised plans and lot‑merger documentation before taking final action.
Board members generally prefaced approvals with site‑specific conditions intended to preserve setbacks, prevent conversion to enclosed living space, or correct property‑line issues. The board indicated written decisions will be issued after the required paperwork and revised plans are reviewed.
Next steps: applicants subject to conditions must file revised plans or administrative paperwork with the zoning office; written decisions will follow once the board confirms compliance with the board’s conditions.
