Babylon Village residents rally against proposed MTA housing study
A lively crowd of around 500 residents gathered in Babylon Village on Sunday to voice strong opposition to an MTA study that could lead to housing developments on what is currently a parking lot for the Babylon train station.
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Residents and officials say the proposed housing threatens village resources and could create congestion.
A lively crowd of around 500 residents gathered in Babylon Village on Sunday to voice strong opposition to an MTA study that could lead to housing developments on what is currently a parking lot for the Babylon train station.
The parking lot is owned by the Long Island Rail Road.
Babylon Mayor Mary E. Adams and residents raised concerns over congestion, the potential loss of $400,000 in parking fees essential to the village’s $13 million budget and strains on local amenities.
"It’s going to impact my fire department. It's going to impact the amenities that we offer our village residents now, our village pool. It's going to impact so many other areas than just sticking up apartment buildings and saying here — this is where you're living," the mayor said.
Babylon officials told News 12 that the study ties into Gov. Kathy Hochul’s strategy to address New York’s housing crisis. Mayor Mary Adams and other officials argue the location is ill-suited for such a project. The mayor urged residents to sign a petition opposing the study on the village Facebook page.
News 12 reached out to the MTA but has not yet heard back.
