W. Babylon housing plan draws some flak

A developer's plan to build an apartment complex on a tiny stretch of a West Babylon road would have added to congestion already so dire "I almost need a traffic light to get out of my driveway," a worried resident wrote Babylon Town officials.

Among the exhibits presented to the zoning board Thursday night as it heard arguments for and against development at 49 Muncie Rd., this one stood out because it was a letter written by the man who used to own the property and is now deceased.

Calvin Fifer, who died in 2006, wrote in 2001 to say that an unrelated project proposed for the south end of the road would worsen the lives of neighborhood residents.

That project was quashed, but current residents testified Thursday at Babylon Town Hall that another project proposed by Dellafranca Development would have the same effect.

"The parklike atmosphere of what's left of our community is disappearing at an alarming rate," said Madeline Sheldon, who lives a few doors from the white brick Colonial home that Dellafranca would replace with four apartment buildings.

Most or all of the 24 apartment units would rent for $1,800 to $2,000, Dellafranca lawyer Nicole Blanda said, though five could rent for less, because of an affordable housing commitment.

Alternatively, Blanda said, the developer might make a comparable donation to the town's affordable housing program.

Blanda asked the Zoning Board of Appeals for four variances related to the density and positioning of the buildings on the 1.36-acre plot.

The requests came as a result of design decisions made in cooperation with town planning officials, she said, adding that Planning Commissioner Ann Marie Jones was "very enamored of the brick and architecture elements" in the plans.

Jones and other town officials have expressed support for the project.

Blanda said the project would meet a need for housing in a developed area not far from busy Montauk Highway, but some board members questioned the proposed density and the need for such a project.

"There are 12 or 13 apartment complexes in this area," said Thomas Weinschenk. "What is the saturation point?"

Board member Burton Koza asked, "Can you explain the need to have 24 units? If you cut to three buildings, 18 units, you would cut the variances dramatically."

Under those conditions, Blanda said, the project would not be economically feasible. "The numbers won't work," she said.

ZBA chairman Michael Kane said after the hearing that the board will mail its decision to Dellafranca Development after this week.