The Yonkers Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) has approved variances that were necessary to allow a proposed development involving two 32-story residential buildings rising from a common podium to move ahead.
TCP Realty LLC, which is the owner of the 143-151 Woodworth Ave. that includes five contiguous lots that make up the approximately 1.35-acre site proposes to demolish the existing warehouse and surface parking lots that currently exist at the location. Its proposal involves creating two 32-story residential buildings with ground floor commercial space. The proposed building would include 672 residential rental units. Ten percent of the units would be designated as affordable housing. There would be approximately 5,470 square feet of retail/commercial space. The plans call for a four-level garage with parking for 702 vehicles with 30 of those spaces designated to serve the commercial uses. There would be 678 valet parking spaces and 24 self-parking spaces.
The ZBA was asked for a use variance and area variances including building height to permit the construction. The ZBA’s vote to approve the variances was 6 to 0. It had declared itself lead agency for the environmental review of the project and accepted the project’s Final Environmental Impact Statement on Dec. 4.
The maximum height of the buildings would be 372 feet. The buildings would contain a approximately 815,850 square feet. The two towers would rise from a podium comprised of four levels and would have 672 apartments along with amenities for the residents. Among the proposed amenities are an approximately 6,000-square-foot outdoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi, roof garden, gym, sauna, lounge, library, game room, kids’ room, and party room that would provide recreational space for adults and children. Bicycle storage rooms would be provided within the parking garage.
The basement level of the podium would include parking and mechanical and building services, such as refuse storage space. An entrance from Lamartine Avenue would provides access for service vehicles. Secondary space for loading and deliveries would be available within the building on this level.
The first level of the podium would include commercial space fronting Woodworth Avenue along with the residential reception area and lobbies, mail and package rooms, and a valet parking office and waiting area. Vehicular access to the parking is provided from a self-parking entrance and a valet parking entry/exit. There would be up to 17 inbound drop-off spaces and 9 outbound pickup spaces. A delivery and box truck loading area is also included inside the building on the fkrst level.
The second and third podium levels would provide parking spaces that will be utilized by the valet operator, including stacked parking.
The residential towers would begin at the fourth level. Pedestrian access to the development would be available via doorways fronting Woodworth Avenue to the commercial spaces and to the residential lobby.
The ZBA noted that the proposed towers would be taller than buildings immediately adjacent to the site, which include one to five-story structures with building heights ranging from 29 to 52 feet. However, the proposed building would be in context with other nearby approved and proposed developments located within downtown Yonkers and surrounding the core of the downtown, ranging from 277 feet to 435 feet.
