All-studio apartment building proposed in Yonkers

An apartment building that would have 36 studio apartments, some with study areas, is being proposed to be constructed on a 0.29-acre parcel composed of two lots. One of the lots faces Warburton Avenue and the other faces Woodworth Avenue. The building would be at 289 Warburton Ave., and 230 Woodworth Ave. The project is being proposed by Warburton Equities LLC, which has an address of 365 Route 59 in Airmont.

According to Attorney Jacob Amir of the White Plains-based law firm Zarin & Steinmetz LLP, the land has been vacant for at least two years and is located in a zoning district that allows high-density apartment buildings. He said that 18 of the apartments would face Warburton Avenue and the other 18 would face Woodworth Avenue.

Amir said that the design calls for two levels of parking with six residence levels above.

“The unusual configuration of the property, with frontage on two streets, allows for a unique and positive parking flow,” Amir said. “From Woodworth Avenue, residents will be provided with means over an existing driveway to access the nineteen lower-level parking spaces, while the ground-level parking area with seventeen spaces will be accessed from Warburton Avenue. The designed two level parking garage pattern provides each unit occupant with a parking space and meets parking requirements.”

Amir pointed out that there already are a number of multifamily buildings in the area along with a variety of neighborhood businesses. He said that the businesses would benefit from having additional residents living in the neighborhood.

The city’s Zoning Board of Appeals has approved variances for front and rear yard setbacks as well as variances for the parking layout. The Zoning Board also issued a negative declaration of environmental impacts from the project.

Several residents of the area went before the Zoning Board to express opposition to the proposed building. They said that the area already has too much traffic congestion, not enough parking for vehicles, and needed green space and play areas for children more than it needed another building. Some neighbors expressed concern that the foundations of their homes and original stained glass windows might be damaged from vibrations caused by construction.

Wendy Lora, who lives next to the proposed project, told the Zoning Board, “Zoning laws currently exist to protect the residents, particularly the ones that live directly next door. This project in its scope will be detrimental to the life and health of my children, my family and the conditions of my home.”