Planning board closes hearing on West Babylon gas station site-plan; decision reserved

The Town of Babylon Planning Board on the public docket heard a site-plan application from AN global Montello Group Corp to add landscaping, drainage, curbing and parking-area improvements at the gasoline service station and convenience store at 1160 Straight Path in West Babylon. The board closed the public hearing and reserved its decision pending review of outstanding site-plan issues and written comments.

Matthew Ing, an attorney with Sir Tilman, Balon, Adler, and Heyman representing the applicant, told the board that the application proposes a continuous row of alternating green juniper and emerald arborvitae along the south property line, an enhanced vegetated rear buffer and three additional trees along the westerly side of the convenience store to screen the site from adjoining residences. "No modifications are proposed to the gasoline station or to the convenience store," Ing said, noting the work is limited to landscaping, drainage and parking-area changes.

The applicant submitted an aerial plan (Feb. 10, 2026), color site-rendering (Dec. 1, 2025) and a landscape plan (Dec. 1, 2025). Attorney Ing said the property has operated as a gasoline station since at least 1985 and that the current proposal makes minor changes to a previously approved 2000 site plan (resolution 2000-112).

Board members pressed the applicant on covenant language and enforcement. Ing said covenant number five, which in some earlier memos referenced an automatic fire sprinkler requirement, is not required because the convenience store is not being altered and the applicant expects that provision will be removed from the final covenant text after the plan examiner's review. The applicant also confirmed that 12 parking stalls are proposed, compared with the town-code requirement of seven stalls, and said added landscaping and fencing behind the store are intended to limit prior overnight parking concerns.

No members of the public spoke during the hearing. A motion to close the public hearing was made and seconded; the board voted to close the hearing and reserve decision. The planning board’s statement said the record will remain open for written comment and directed interested parties to the planning department in the west wing of Town Hall, by phone at 631-957-3103 or by email at planningcomments@townofbabylonnewyork.gov.

The board did not take final action on the application at the meeting; decision-making and any subsequent conditions will be reflected in future minutes or resolutions once the record is closed and the board issues a decision.