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Sunrise Kia seeks to expand outdoor vehicle storage; resident warns of traffic, property‑value impacts
Summary
At a July 13 hearing the Town of Babylon Planning Board considered HPLN‑17, a Sunrise Kia site plan to demolish a dwelling and add about 10,200 sq ft of fenced outdoor vehicle storage; counsel said the site is zoned Business E and parking falls short of code, and the board reserved decision after public concerns about traffic and neighborhood character.
The Town of Babylon Planning Board heard a public hearing July 13 on site plan HPLN‑17, filed by Sunrise Dealer (DBA Sunrise Kia), seeking to demolish an existing house on an acquired Simmons Street parcel and expand the dealership’s outdoor vehicle storage and site improvements.
Applicant counsel Nicole Blanda said the combined site area (including the newly acquired parcel) is just over 2 acres in Business E (general business) zoning. The proposed new outdoor storage area is approximately 10,200 square feet and would be enclosed by a new six‑foot‑high black chain‑link fence with landscaping in front to screen inventory. The plan includes pavement repairs, new curbing and sidewalk along Simmons Street, a new refuse enclosure to town specifications, lighting, and a turning‑movement diagram reviewed by town engineering staff.
Blanda told the board that, under the town’s parking calculations, the site technically requires 117 spaces but the applicant is providing 73, yielding a 44‑space deficiency. The applicant noted the site previously received a 39‑space relaxation and intends to request a new special permit and parking variance from the zoning board of appeals as part of the approvals process.
Board members asked about an apparent encroachment of parking spaces onto an adjoining church property; counsel said the encroachment will be rectified by cutting back the parking to the property line. The applicant also said the two Simmons Street driveway aprons will be replaced to town specs; the Sunrise Highway curb cut falls under state DOT jurisdiction and will remain as is.
Public commenter Marjorie (Margie) Bloom, a long‑time resident, spoke in opposition on behalf of neighbors, saying the change from residential to expanded commercial use will increase traffic, reduce property values and alter neighborhood character. "This was a suburb. Now it's just turning into Queens," Bloom said, urging the board to consider the community impacts.
Town counsel explained for the record that the parcel is zoned E B (general business district) and that the existing house represented a legal nonconforming use; the demolition and proposed use require the appropriate special permits and variances.
The Chair moved to close the hearing and reserve decision so staff and the applicant could address open items. The motion to close and reserve decision was moved by Juan and seconded by Ed; the board approved the motion and left the record open for written comments and additional materials.
The application files and plans are available for review at the planning office (West Wing of Town Hall) between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.; questions may be directed to (631) 957‑3103 or planningcomments@townofbabylonny.gov.
