Village Board Extends Restaurant Moratorium for Another 6 Months

The Babylon Village Board is extending its moratorium on new restaurants and bars for the second time to allow the village planning board to finish a study of parking and related issues primarily related to the arrival of Monsoon, the business district’s biggest eatery that opened last month.

“We want to get a better reading on parking and traffic along Deer Park Avenue and Main Street,” said Mayor Ralph Scordino during the board’s work session meeting Tuesday.

Officials noted there have been no further complaints since Monsoon's opening week. The huge restaurant and lounge is located at the site of the old Bank of New York building.

The moratorium, which was initially enacted in early April 2011, was extended for another six months in September 2011. It will now expire in September 2012. It bans brand-new use for restaurants and bars.

Building space that has been operating as a bar or eatery is exempt. One example is the defunct Hook restaurant near the waterfront. As reported by Patch early this month, new owner Tom Licari is working on plans for a new restaurant but has not yet submitted an application to the village.

The decision will also not impact a new proposal for the former Blue Chill restaurant on DPA. The village board will consider an application submitted by Leo DeNicola, of Babylon, to make changes to the restaurant, at a public hearing on March 27 at 7 p.m. at village hall.

The board will also consider an application for a brand-new operation that evening. Joseph D’Antona aims to open a Balance Health & Wellness Life Enhancement Center at 94 Deer Park Avenue, the former site of the Food Market.