Babylon bans subdividing residential plots in bid to curb dense developments

Village of Babylon officials have invoked a year-long moratorium on landowners subdividing large residential lots in an effort to curb more dense development, Newsday reported. The ban applies to new applications for parcels starting at 11,000 square feet, Babylon’s largest zoning category. Subdividing a lot lets people build a second home, thereby making streets denser, according to the outlet, which noted that no one expressed opposition to the proposed moratorium at a public hearing before a vote. Smaller parcels like those zoned at a minimum of 9,000 square feet can be split as long as they meet the requirements to do so and aren’t subject to the temporary ban. Newsday noted that Babylon officials will use the next year to evaluate whether or not they need to change zoning laws. [Newsday]