April 11, 2023 Public Hearing
PUBLIC HEARING
WAS HELD IN THE BOARD ROOM,
153 WEST MAIN STREET, BABYLON, NEW YORK,
ON TUESDAY,
APRIL 11, 2023
PRESENT:
Mayor Mary Adams
Trustee Dominic Bencivenga
Trustee Frank Seibert
Trustee Anthony Cardali
Trustee Kathy Ann Miga
Attorney Matthew McDonough
The meeting opened at 7:06 PM
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Trustee Bencivenga.
The Village Clerk read the legal notice:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Babylon will hold a Public Hearing at 153 West Main Street, on Tuesday, April 11th, 2023, at 7:00 PM or as soon thereafter as can be heard, to consider the application of Cliff Weinstein, to open a new restaurant, The Pizzeria of Babylon at 217 East Main Street.
Copy of application and plans may be examined at the Office of the Village Clerk, between the hours of 10am and 4pm Monday through Friday.
All interested persons should appear at the above time and place and they will be given the opportunity to be heard. All applicants and their duly appointed representatives must appear in person at the above hearing.
Jamie Winkler appeared on behalf of Cliff Weinstein. She stated that this will be the 6th location of The Pizzeria and they are very successful in their other locations. Cliff Weinstein spoke and said that the restaurant will be a pizza restaurant as well as a full menu Italian eatery. This is a great location that they are looking forward to revitalizing. There will be about 80 seats with 41 parking spots. According to regulations 42 are needed, so they are looking for relief on that requirement.
Trustee Seibert asked if they plan on leaving the parking lot as it is, including 4 handicapped spaces and Mr. Weinstein said that they do. Trustee Seibert asked about the number of employees. The application stated 15 employees. Is that per shift? Mr. Weinstein said that there will most likely be 20 employees total, and that they will be broken up over shifts and not that many at a time.
Trustee Seibert asked about the remodeling. Ms. Winkler said it has been gutted and they are waiting on approvals and permits from ARB. Mr. Weinstein said that it will be brand new inside. Outside will remain largely intact. They are raising the windows. The brick façade will be off white/dark grey. They are working on renderings – They view this spot as the Gateway to Babylon and want to make it reflect that.
Trustee Miga asked about garbage pickup. Mr. Weinstein said that typically they have garbage picked up 2 times a week, but that can be adjusted as needed. Trustee Miga asked if they have obtained a liquor license. Ms. Winkler said not yet.
Trustee Bencivenga asked what they are envisioning for the inside. Mr. Weinstein explained that he is looking at high end materials. There will be a porcelain floor and a square/rectangle bar. The bar will be in the center with seating all around. There will be a private event space, but not a private room. The restaurant will stay open during private events.
Trustee Seibert asked if there will be seating at the pizza counter. Mr. Weinstein said that there will be, and that items from the pizza counter can be ordered while seated in the main restaurant section as well.
Trustee Cardali asked about delivery. They will be using a third party, Door Dash Drive. Trustee Cardali said that there have been issues with Door Dash and delivery drivers parking illegally. Mr. Weinstein said that they can add instructions for the drivers. Trustee Cardali asked about the fire sprinkler systems. Mr. Weinstein said that the fire alarm and HVAC systems are brand new and being handled by Garland Fire.
Trustee Seibert asked about what was behind the building. Mr. Weinstein stated that there is an outdoor walki-in box and storage that is only temporary during renovations.
Mayor Adams stated that she was in The Pizzeria in Bayshore recently and asked if the setup would be the same. They stated that it would – there will be seating for about 20 or less at the bar/counter and the rest would be at the tables.
Trustee Seibert asked about the timeframe they were looking at for opening. Mr. Weinstein said that he wants to open as soon as humanly possible, hopefully by September. Things are slowed by supply chain issues.
Mayor Adams asked about hosting events. Mr. Weinstein said that they will be, and they had just hosted Northwell for St. Patrick’s Day.
The mayor opened the meeting to the public; the following resident addressed the board.
Helen Kelly, 56 Clinton Street
On the motion of Trustee Seibert, seconded by Trustee Miga and unanimously carried, it was
RESOLVED to reserve decision.
The Village Clerk read the legal notice:
The Board of Trustees of the Village of Babylon will hold a Special Public Hearing at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at 153 West Main Street, Babylon, NY 11702, regarding the nuisance and unsafe building condition at 50 Southards Lane.
All interested persons should appear at the above time and place and they will be given the opportunity to be heard. All applicants and their duly appointed representatives must appear in person at the above hearing.
Mayor Adams asked if there was anyone there representing the property owner, Mr. Murphy. There was no response.
Trustee Seibert said that this is a safety issue. The gate in the front and back should be locked to keep people out of the house.
Trustee Miga agreed with Trustee Seibert. It’s a dangerous and unsafe situation. Kids may want to hang out there.
Trustee Bencivenga said this is a tough situation. We need to think about the public.
Trustee Cardali said that this house had a fire in 2020 after Isais and the owner has not done much to secure it. There is quite a bit of disrepair. It should be boarded up or demolished.
Mayor Adams stated that an engineer inspected the home and recommended that it be declared unsafe/unfit. The photos and report are just incredible with the state of the property. We have a priority to protect the community
The meeting was opened to the public; the following addressed the board:
John Delarosa, 37 Clinton Street
Anthony Vetere, 23 Southards Lane
Helen Kelly, 56 Clinton Street
Thomas Persichilli, 2137 Deer Park Avenue, Deer Park, NY, appeared late to the meeting, on behalf of Mr. Murphy.
He stated that Mr. Murphy had obtained a contractor to demolish the home. He has applied for the permit and will take it down as soon as possible. They are waiting on written confirmation from the utilities that all services are shut off before they can proceed.
Trustee Cardali said that we have had issues contacting Mr. Murphy and asked Mr. Persichilli if he would accept service and documents for Mr. Murphy; and he replied that yes, he would.
Trustee Bencivenga asked if the landscaping will be taken care of as well. Mr. Persichilli said that all vegetation and debris will be cleaned up.
When asked if Mr. Murphy has plans to sell, Mr. Persichilli said that Mr. Murphy’s daughter might be interested in building a house on the property.
On the motion of Trustee Seibert, seconded by Trustee Miga and unanimously carried, it was
RESOLVED to reserve decision.
On the motion of Trustee Seibert, seconded by Trustee Miga and unanimously carried, the meeting adjourned at 7:49 PM.
_____________________
Village Clerk
** For attachments contact the Village Clerk’s Office