New proposal for nearly 200,000-square-foot warehouse & office in Yonkers neighborhood sparks concerns
Morris Companies is looking to build a new 200,000-square-foot warehouse and office space at 79 Austin Ave. It would also have 272 parking spaces, 21 loading docks and 41 trailer parking spaces.
More Stories
A new development project could be coming to Yonkers.
Morris Companies is looking to build a new 200,000-square-foot warehouse and office space at 79 Austin Ave. It would also have 272 parking spaces, 21 loading docks and 41 trailer parking spaces.
Morris Companies says there is no tenant for the warehouse yet.
Residents voiced their concerns about the proposal at the Homefield House on Monday night.
"We are getting this project approved and then we will market a tenant," says Keith Morris, of Morris Companies.
Some residents said they love how peaceful the neighborhood is.
"We like it the way it is. Very quiet, almost no traffic," says Fernando Urillo," a resident. "If all of a sudden we have a lot of especially big trucks coming in and out, then the reason we live here will be gone."
Residents are concerned about safety, noise, traffic and the possibility of moving the gate that connects Austin Avenue and Sprain Road for more access. Right now, traffic can't get through that way.
"It could work. The thing here is getting the trucks there, what time are they going to go. These people are used to, as you can see, serenity," says Anthony Merante, Yonkers City Councilmember for District 6.
Some also have environmental concerns.
"If you would happen to do that, where are the animals going to go?" says resident Travis Archer.
The project will require a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals for height because of the 100-foot difference in elevation from Austin Avenue to the actual property. It would then need site plan approval from the Planning Board.
