Public Hearing July 26, 2022; 158 East Main St., Indoor Children's Play Space
PUBLIC HEARING
WAS HELD IN THE BOARD ROOM,
153 WEST MAIN STREET, BABYLON, NEW YORK,
ON TUESDAY,
JULY 26, 2022
PRESENT:
Mayor Mary Adams
Trustee Dominic Bencivenga
Trustee Frank Seibert
Trustee Anthony Cardali
Attorney Matthew McDonough
ABSENT:
Trustee Robyn Silvestri
The meeting opened at 7:08 p.m.
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, July 26, 2022, at 7:00 PM or as soon thereafter as can be heard to consider the application of Christina Sciuto to open an indoor children’s play space at 158 E. Main Street, the former location of Babylon Crossfit.
Copy of application and plans may be examined at the office of the Village Clerk, between the hours of 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM 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.
Applicant: Business:
Christina Sciuto Indoor Children’s Play Space
24 The Crescent 158 East Main Street
Babylon, NY 11702 Babylon, NY 11702
[Section 014 / Block 02 / Lot 018]
Mrs. Sciuto and her attorney, Gerard Glass, addressed the Board to explain her intention to open an indoor play space for children 9 months to 5 years old. Structured sessions would be scheduled to allow children the opportunity to play and explore. In addition to the open play sessions, special events and classes would be scheduled such as story times, crafts, music classes, etc. Classes would be limited to 20 children per class and parents would be required to stay with their child. There will be three (3) open play times per day, each 1.5 hours long. Birthday parties will sometimes be scheduled in lieu of classes. There will be approximately three part-time employees.
Although the application indicated the hours would be from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM seven days a week, Mrs. Sciuto was amenable to altering the Sunday hours. The later hours are intended to accommodate working parents.
Gerard Glass clarified that this use would be much less intense than the previous Crossfit use, particularly regarding parking, noise, early hours, etc. There will be no door open to the outside so any music would be internal and limited and would not impact the neighbors. They have Building Department permits for interior sheet rock, drop ceiling, new flooring, and lighting. Physical improvements are planned as well.
In the future, they may want to clean up the very overgrown outside back lot, and eventually add a small outdoor play area with small Little Tikes type toys. Mrs. Sciuto signed a 5-year lease for this location, contingent upon Board approval.
The Board addressed some concerns and stressed that patrons must use the crosswalk at the corner, and not cross in the middle of Main Street. It was also advised that Mrs. Scuito install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors with audio / visual alerts, as this is not a sprinklered building. It was suggested that she may also want to consider adding air conditioning. Employees would need to apply for employee parking permits. Because of the special use being requested, it was noted that renewal for this permission would be required every 3 years.
On the motion of Trustee Seibert, seconded by Trustee Cardali and unanimously carried, it was
RESOLVED to reserve decision.
The meeting was opened to the public; no one addressed the Board:
On the motion of Trustee Seibert, seconded by Trustee Cardali and unanimously carried, the meeting adjourned at 7:20 PM.
_____________________
Village Clerk
** For attachments contact the Village Clerk’s Office