Oyster Bay denies special use permit for Cotillion in Jericho over noise issues

The Oyster Bay Town Board has denied a request for a special use permit from the operator of Cotillion, a longtime banquet hall and Indian restaurant in Jericho, following years of noise complaints.

The town board voted unanimously to reject the application, which Cotillion needs to operate as a catering hall in one of the town's neighborhood business zones. Town documents show a code compliance case was opened in 2011 at the site over “excessive noise." According to town records, “the issue remains unresolved.”

The decision bars the business from operating as a catering hall, but Cotillion can continue to operate as a restaurant, said Marta Kane, a town spokeswoman.

“Excessive noise continues to be a problem at this location and a concerted effort to have plans for the location include noise mitigation measures have proven unsuccessful,” the town’s resolution states.

The special use permit application, first filed in 2020, centered on the business’ ability to operate as a catering facility. Cotillion has hosted events for more than 60 years at the facility on 440 Jericho Tpke. In 2016, the owner of the property went to renew its annual public assembly license, but town officials said the site lacked a specific approval to operate as a catering facility. The town noted that the area is zoned for neighborhood businesses, Newsday has reported.    

Residents from The Manors Condominium community, on the opposite side of Jericho Turnpike, have complained about loud music and noise coming from Cotillion for years, officials said.

Tamar Harutunian, an attorney for Cotillion, requested at Tuesday’s meeting that the town board delay its vote “to afford the applicant an additional opportunity to address the noise disturbance issues that have been raised by the Manors Condominium community.”

“We understand the residents' desire to have this matter resolved, but we are willing to collaborate with them to address these issues,” Harutunian told board members.

The owner of the property could not immediately be reached for comment.

Supervisor Joseph Saladino asked Harutunian if concrete policies were implemented to reduce noise from the property.

Harutunian said there has been “discussion” about plans to reduce noise levels, including volume from parties. She said she hasn’t been made aware of new noise complaints from the past two years.

Oyster Bay officials said the issue should have already been resolved.

“There’s been ample opportunity to address the complaints since the original application, and it hasn’t been done,” Lou Imbroto, a town councilman, said. “We know that the neighbors are not happy.”

Sloan Zarkin, an attorney with Schneider Buchel LLP, which represents the Manors, said there was limited to no conversation about the noise issue with Cotillion’s attorney until Monday — a day before the town’s scheduled vote.

Marc H. Schneider, CEO of Schneider Buchel LLP, said in a phone interview: "We are pleased that the town took the necessary action" to deny the permit.

By Joseph Ostapiuk

joseph.ostapiuk@newsday.com@OstapiukJ