Town panel places 21 Silver Pine accessory-apartment application on reserve after neighbor parking complaints

At a Town of Babylon meeting on Aug. 26, 2025, the panel voted to place the accessory-apartment application for 21 Silver Pine Drive on reserve after neighbors described repeated parking problems and blocked driveways. The applicant was represented by Jose Espinal, who presented a notarized authorization letter from the property owner.

Neighbors told the board that vehicles associated with the house are routinely occupying curb and driveway space. “It’s parking. There’s nowhere to park. Right now, there are 8 to 10 cars that belong to this neighbor’s home,” resident Betty Reese said, describing repeated incidents in which her driveway was blocked and a past altercation that prompted a police call. Reese also said the driveway expansion at the property increased on-site parking, and that ambulance access for a 96-year-old neighbor had been impeded “at least twice a month.”

Jose Espinal, who said he was authorized to represent the owner, told the board he was not sure of the current total of vehicles at the property and later indicated the household “has 6 cars altogether.” An interpreter, Robinson Almonte, assisted in clarifying the applicant’s responses.

Board members discussed the difficulty neighbors were having accessing their driveways and the town’s interest in ensuring properties are good neighbors. One member moved to place the application on reserve so staff could investigate parking and driveway expansion; the motion was seconded and carried with all members saying “Aye.” No final approval of the accessory-apartment permit was recorded at the meeting.

The record presented to the board included an affidavit of posting, a property inspection dated 07/23/2025, and a notarized authorization letter dated 09/05/2025 from the owner, signed “Luz m Sumimati,” authorizing Espinal to act on her behalf because of health issues. The board noted the apartment is on the second floor with two bedrooms and that the unit is occupied. The panel instructed staff to investigate the parking configuration and neighborhood complaints before the application is returned for final action.

The matter will return to the board after staff follow-up; the board asked the applicant’s representative to explain the neighbor concerns to the owner in the meantime.