The town of Islip has revoked a previous zoning approval that would have allowed The United American Muslim Association’s new all-boys school in Bay Shore to operate a student dormitory on its campus. The decision, announced Thursday, follows extensive public opposition and a lengthy July meeting during which residents voiced concerns about the plan to house 120 male students adjacent to a senior living community.

The Zoning Board of Appeals voted 3-1 on Tuesday to overturn an earlier determination by the town’s Building Division, which had permitted the boarding element as an accessory use to the parochial school. According to the board’s statement, the proposed dormitory does not conform to the town’s zoning regulations, which explicitly allow the operation of a school but do not accommodate boarding facilities as part of that designation.

As a result, the school will be able to open and operate its Islamic educational program on the 13-acre waterfront property but must require students to return to their homes at the end of each day. The board’s decision underscores the distinction between a day school and a boarding school within local zoning law, emphasizing that the latter is not recognized as an ancillary use to a parochial institution under the current code.

The initial approval had sparked significant opposition from nearby residents concerned about the proximity of a large group of teenage boarders to an established senior living community. The five-hour public meeting in July provided residents a platform to express these worries, which played a role in the board’s reexamination and subsequent reversal of the dormitory allowance.

Despite the setback, The United American Muslim Association can move forward with launching its educational facility, focusing on providing Islamic-based instruction to boys during regular school hours. The board’s ruling limits the school’s operational scope by restricting student residency options, which could impact its enrollment plans and long-term development.