Rezoning OKd for veterans housing
Babylon Town Hall, as seen on Dec. 14, 2011, at 200 East Sunrise Hwy. in Lindenhurst. Credit: Carl Corry
Babylon’s Town Board Tuesday approved rezoning that would allow a nonprofit housing group to build housing for homeless veterans at a closed Army Reserve Base in North Amityville.
Medford-based Concern for Independent Living hopes to break ground by September on a $21-million facility on Albany Avenue with 60 apartments and support services for honorably discharged veterans and their families.
Concern for Independent Living’s executive director, Ralph Fasano, said Tuesday in an interview that the group is already fielding calls from interested veterans.
The board’s unanimous vote came after members Ellen T. McVeety and Tony Martinez visited the group’s projects elsewhere on Long Island.
Tuesday’s approval permits multiple residence development in what is normally a single-residence neighborhood, but the project still needs to go before the town’s Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals.
The timing of the approval was critical, coming ahead of a state-imposed Aug. 30 deadline that must be met to secure much of the project’s funding.
Fasano said the project is still waiting for $3 million in county funding, though he expected that to be in place soon.
Above: Babylon Town Hall
Updated now Newsday travel writer Scott Vogel took the ferry over to Block Island for a weekend of fun.
Updated now Newsday travel writer Scott Vogel took the ferry over to Block Island for a weekend of fun.
