The Town of Oyster Bay demolished an abandoned property left in a state of disrepair on Ann Drive in Syosset on Sept. 18 and 19, following code violations and complaints from neighbors.
“This structure was in very poor condition after being left abandoned and falling into a severe and significant state of disrepair,” said Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino.
Saladino said the town received numerous complaints from neighbors regarding the condition of the “zombie” house. He said inspectors found signs of neglect, as well as exterior and interior code violations.
“The interior was filthy throughout, with signs of leaks and extensive damage, leaving it unsanitary and uninhabitable,” he said.
Saladino said violations included significant water damage, lack of walls and insulation, unfinished plumbing, exposed electrical fixtures, damaged or missing ceilings, debris, and overall deterioration. He said the condition of the house worsened over time and the town received court approval to demolish the structure.
“After earning court approval, we removed this neighborhood eyesore and are paving the way for a new home in our community,” Saladino said.
The town said the demolition process was facilitated by its Quality of Life Taskforce, which was established in 2017 to address issues, like zombie homes, in the town. Since its creation, the task force has assisted with the demolition of dozens of zombie houses.
In May, a Massapequa home was demolished due to numerous violations, including water damage, missing insulation, and unfinished plumbing.
“The great success of our task force really speaks for itself, as we’ve now successfully demolished more than 40 homes since its inception,” said Council Member Lou Imbroto, who serves as chairman of the task force.
The town said its code enforcement bureau of the Department of Planning and Development is responsible for overseeing all potential code violations.
“Through the diligence of our Town team — our building and legal professionals — we have been tremendously successful in saving our communities from these types of eyesores and protecting the quality of life of our residents,” Imbroto said.
