Babylon residents oppose condo development in West Babylon

A developer who has tried to build residences on a West Babylon site for five years continues to face opposition from neighbors over concerns about increased traffic and environmental threats.

Pinello Estates 109 LLC is proposing to build 14 three-bedroom condominiums in seven buildings on the south side of Route 109 and East Drive. It also would use an existing building — a former recording studio — as office space. The plan calls for subdividing a 2-acre lot. The project requires the town to change the zoning for the condominium portion of the property from industry to multiple residence.

It’s the second proposed development on the site from Pinello in the past five years, according to Babylon Town spokesman Ryan Bonner. The first, in 2020, called for 34 one-bedroom rental apartments in three two-story buildings, Bonner said. That proposal was withdrawn after pushback from neighbors, according to the developer’s attorney, Nicole Blanda.

“After a community meeting, we received strong feedback that the community preferred ownership on this site,” Blanda said during an Aug. 6 town board hearing on the proposal.

But the change in the type of residences proposed did little to quell neighbor concerns about traffic and the impact the development could have on Santapogue Creek, which runs through the site.

“If there ever was traffic congestion and a safety problem with an application, this is the location,” Julianne Nolan, who lives on nearby Karen Street, told the board.

Nolan noted busy vehicle traffic on Route 109 and the location of a merging off-ramp from Sunrise Highway just before the site. She said there are many pedestrians who walk the area heading to the nearby post office and supermarket.

East Drive resident Steven Acquavita called the proposal “a serious threat to our neighborhood, to public safety, and to the intent of the town zoning laws.” He pointed to a traffic review of the project that he said suggested overflow parking from the site could go on the shoulder of Route 109.

“The shoulder is not a parking lot,” he told the board. “It's for emergency stops. Overflow parking on the shoulder creates real hazards for drivers, for emergency vehicles, and for pedestrians.”

Community members also mentioned protecting the wetlands of Santapogue Creek, as well as the flooding they already experience in their homes, which they fear will only get worse if the development is approved.

Blanda said there will be no stormwater runoff from the development and offered that with the project’s installation of leeching pools and permeable pavers, among other improvements, “some of these problems may be alleviated.”

Blanda said the plans are to remove invasive species and install native plants to improve the health of the creek. But residents remain wary.

“The environmental impact really needs to be studied more,” said Glenn Bythrow, who lives on a nearby cul-de-sac and said he has four sump pumps to help with flooding. “Not just, ‘I think we'll plant some good plants here.’ ”

The board did not vote on the application, with Town Supervisor Rich Schaffer noting there are “a number of items that need to be addressed.” He said he doesn’t “expect a decision on this anytime soon.”

By Denise M. Bonilla

denise.bonilla@newsday.comdenisebonilla

Denise Bonilla has worked at Newsday since 2003 and covers the Town of Babylon, including the villages of Lindenhurst and Amityville.