Village Considering Tightening Codes for Businesses

The is considering updating its codes in an effort to bring them in line with surrounding villages and .

“We’re making it a little tougher with more restrictions so the village has a little more control over businesses and zoning,” Mayor Tom Brennan explained.

Village Trustee Mike Lavorata said the decision to review the codes is proactive and would allow the village to get a better handle on the types of businesses that come to Lindenhurst.

The village currently has lower fees for businesses seeking to open as compared to neighboring villages like Babylon and Amityville.

However, it was felt that if fees were raised and codes were tightened along the lines of Babylon Town codes, then the village could attract business while generating revenue at the same time.

“There are some things that need tightening a bit, I think, and our village attorney will take a look,” said Lavorata, adding that this process would take a while before the village would be ready to vote on updated codes. The hearing was the first step.

During a public hearing about this at the , several residents, including Dottie Delisa, Terence Whelan and David Woods, spoke mostly in favor of the village reviewing and possibly updating its codes.

The overriding thought from residents was that updating codes would prevent new businesses that might attract loitering and other problems from coming to Lindenhurst while allowing other businesses to flourish.

They pointed to the 7-Eleven that replaced Friendly’s at the corner of West Gates and Wellwood as one business that draws resident concern due to the amount of loitering.

Other residents also felt that updated codes would also help guard against businesses opening without checking with the village first, which many residents said has occurred over the years.

To their point, Brennan said the village does send letters, and summonses as needed, and investigates upon being alerted.

But Anthony DiLeonardo, a landlord with 45 years of experience and history in the village, wanted to make sure that his and other landlords’ hands weren’t tied by too many restrictions – especially given the economy.

“It’s been the worst year in 45 years,” he said, adding that a list of businesses that might be prohibited would help him when talking to prospective tenants.

Jonathan Geula and his father, Eli, came from Queens to ask about the possibility of opening up a pawn shop if/when the codes are modified. The family owns one in West Babylon, and is looking around for a location to open another.

“Right now, yes, you can,” the mayor said.

Woods mentioned the bookstore on Montauk Highway that sells rare books, and the mayor said that it might fit into the category. But the board seemed to agree that a business like that, in the gray area, is another reason for updating codes.

“We also don’t want to prevent something like a thrift shop whose proceeds go to something like cancer research,” noted Lavorata. “But we do want to mitigate any problems before they start by modifying the codes…there are certainly businesses that are in a gray area right now, and we want to delineate where the line is drawn.”