Yorktown Approves Research and Development Project
On Tuesday night the Town Board approved a flex-space use on Front Street that will allow the construction of a research and development facility for green technology.
SK Energy Holdings LLC asked the Town Board to amend a permitted use at 1600 Front Street. The applicant intends to use the 2,000-square-foot building for offices, a basic machine shop and electronics lab where the company can build and test new technologies. The research and development company will test new solar technologies, hydroelectric systems and solar-related software.
“SK Energy Holdings’ proposal is more evidence that our Destination Y marketing campaign and ongoing overlay zone development—coupled with the strides we have taken to emerge as a leader in combatting climate change—are bringing innovative businesses to the table to invest in and help modernize our town’s economy,” said Supervisor Matt Slater.
SK Energy Holdings’ research and development activities do not involve any volatile compounds or combustible substances and its research will be primarily for filing patents.
“It is great to see so many new and innovative companies come to the realization that Yorktown is the perfect destination for their business,” said Councilman Ed Lachterman. “Our town board's embrace of a technology-forward attitude—and a supervisor who is willing to discuss projects while guiding them through the process—is really opening eyes on how to be competitive in today's commercial market.”
The applicant has told town officials that the proposed facility will not be a factory. Any manufacturing of products developed will occur at a factory or at a third-party site.
The lot at 1600 Front Street has been vacant for years.
Last year the Town Board amended Chapter 300 of the Town Code by adding a new Article XXXI, whose purpose is to use “smart-growth techniques capable of creating smarter, less wasteful, and more economically efficient development patterns.” The new article regulates land use within areas known as Planned Design District Overlay Zones so that future development results in pedestrian-oriented neighborhoods with a diversity of mixed-use buildings that include retail, offices, civic uses and residential.
The overlay zones would be located throughout Yorktown, including the commercial business corridor in Yorktown Heights, the Heights’ industrial corridor along Front Street, Bear Mountain Triangle, Shrub Oak and Lake Osceola. Other business corridors could be added in the future.
