The entity 1270 Saw Mill Associates LLC is expected to go before the Yonkers Planning Board at its July 9 meeting to seek site plan approval for constructing a self-storage building on what is now a construction storage site at 1270 Saw Mill River Road. The project, which has an estimated cost of $7.5 million, would be on a parcel located on the easterly side of Saw Mill River Road just south of Tompkins Avenue, which runs east-west endings in a T-intersection with Saw Mill River Road.
The 0.25-acre site has been continuously used and operated as a construction yard and equipment facility for more than 50 years. The developer says that the area adjacent to the site is not densely occupied or heavily used. Across from the site is a restaurant. To the rear of the site is a hill, which has three residences, with one of the back yards backing up to the property.
The proposed self-storage building would be just over 71 feet in height and have six stories. There would be 82,140 square feet of space inside. The developer said that the facility would not offer trucks for rent. The developer says that the facility likely would have three full-time employee and one part-time employee. It is expected there would be 30 construction jobs created by the project.
The ground floor would include a small office area for operations and a display area, while the remaining floors would contain the self-storage units. Twelve parking spaces and four loading spaces would be provided at the ground floor level.
The Yonkers Zoning Board of Appeals already has granted variances needed for the project including one because the building would exceed the maximum permitted floor area ratio. Another variances was needed because the front yard setback would be less than the 20 feet required. A height variance was needed because the building’s height would exceed the 35 feet and two-stories normally allowed.
The Zoning Board said it took into account the hardship faced by the applicant if the variances were not granted as weighed against any detriment to the health, safety, and welfare of the neighborhood and community. It determined that the applicant has designed a straightforward building that fits onto the site. It determined that granting the variances would not result in a detriment to nearby properties.
“The current use of the subject property as a construction yard results in loud construction noises and heavy traffic,” the Zoning Board determined. “Self-storage units have less traffic and will have less impact on the neighborhood. Additionally, ten neighbors have written letters of support for the project.”
