Yonkers Considering Self-Storage Moratorium

Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano today called on the Yonkers City Council to pass legislation that places moratoriums on approvals for the construction and opening of additional self-storage (along with lithium-ion battery facilities).

“Protecting a safe and healthy quality of life continues to be our number one priority in Yonkers,” said Spano. “These moratoriums would provide our city an opportunity to dig deeper into the potential economic and public health impacts these facilities have on our residents and businesses.”

Currently, there are over a dozen self-storage facilities in Yonkers. The proposed eight-month moratorium would provide the City time to delve into its zoning laws and land-use strategies to ensure they continue to align with the City’s economic objectives and community needs. The City noted that while self-storage facilities contribute to property tax revenues, they do not contribute to the income tax revenues and their sales tax revenues are minimal.

Spano added, “We know there is a need for them, but there is a proliferation of self-storage buildings within our city limits and this moratorium prevents Yonkers from becoming the storage facility capital of Westchester County. It gives us a chance to breathe and examine where these facilities are going and how it will impact our local economy.”

Additionally, a moratorium on battery energy storage systems (BESS), or lithium-ion battery storage facilities, is proposed for a six-month period. Lithium batteries stored in self-storage facilities have been an ongoing concern for public safety and facility owners as well. Read the MSM story on the hidden dangers of lithium batteries.

A public hearing is required prior to the passage of the proposed General Ordinances. Yonkers City Council’s last State Meeting before the summer is scheduled for Tuesday, June 25 at Yonkers City Hall.