Village holds hearing on The Hook application

The Hook has something new on the menu, but a large number of residents living near the waterfront restaurant in Babylon Village said it's not something they want served up in their community.

Many spoke out against an application by the restaurant for permission to offer outside dining and "low" background music, which came before the Village Board at a hearing last week. Many said the new owners Doreen and Francis Turnbull, have been providing outside dining and music without proper permits, and in violation of local codes. This, they added, has degraded the quality of life for the residents living nearby.

Not so, said the owner, Doreen Turnbull who said that since she and her husband purchased the restaurant, they have made significant improvements in its appearance and continue to work with the Village to find a solution to problems.

"They have shown disregard for the Village and for their neighbors in every way," countered Tess Helfman a resident and a realtor.

"Right now music is being played there until very late at night, and it is heard throughout our neighborhood," said Kim Camacho. "If they are allowed to change this small, neighborhood restaurant, it is going to change the character of our community."

Not everyone opposed the idea, however, pointing out that the restaurant has been there for many years and deserves a chance to grow and prosper.

"I think the place is fairly well kept and have never seen any problems," said Ted Wrangle ofFire Island Avenue. "I would suggest that the board consider giving them the approval for a year and then if they (the owners) don't obey the laws, then the Village can decide not to renew it when it expires."

"It is a waterfront restaurant and has been there for many years," said another supporter. "It is a beautiful spot and as a business they need to make money so I think the Village should give them a chance."

The Turnbulls purchased the property under 52 Phoenix Management Corp., from Tim Kelly two years ago. During that time, the parking congestion, noise and traffic, has increased dramatically said John and Cathy Fallon of Nereid Place, Babylon.

"The house next to ours, 11 Nereid Pl., has been for sale for two years and is now in foreclosure because during that time various real estate agencies brought potential buyers and they could not find a place to park," said John Fallon. "We feel these existing conditions substantially affect our home value as well."

Doreen Turnbull said that the restaurant predates all of the homes near there, except one, and that it is unfair to maintain now that real property values would go up if the restaurant were closed.

But residents said it is not the restaurant but the increased activity there that has them angry.

Helfman said that a review of recent sales in the area shows, clearly, that the increased activities at the restaurant has impacted on nearby home values, negatively. She provided a brief history of the home at 11 Nereid Place. "Even when the buyers lowered their price to $599,000- $100,000 below market value- the home did not sell," said Helfman. "Buyers wouldn't event get out of their cars to look inside...because of the problems of noise and parking we are talking about here tonight."

"We have had tables outside for 12 years and when the Village asked, we took some of the newer ones we put up," said Doreen Turnbull. "We are moving forward with getting all of our permits."

In other Village business, work along Bayview Avenue to reduce flooding and improve the roadway continue. The Village is making a $300,000 investment to raise the roadway, install curbing, new drainage Smart Sponges to eliminate contamination from roadwater runoff.

"We have some funds left from other projects and wanted to do something for the folks down there who have had a really tough time of it with flooding," said Mayor Ralph Scordino.