An applicant who owns a large office building (555 White Plains Road) appeared before the Town Board at our work session on Tuesday (June 20th) and indicated that across Westchester and the region, the prospect for new office uses is bleak, and indicated that keeping existing office spaces filled with tenants is very challenging. The owner noted that several municipalities in Westchester are retrofitting office buildings and office parks with non-traditional uses, in an effort to maintain viability in these portions of the respective communities. At the work session, the applicant noted that one concept for redevelopment at the subject location would be to remove the existing office building (which was identified as being beyond its useful life-cycle, built in the 1970s) and replace the use with a new health club building and separate new multi-level self-storage building. New buildings with good architectural qualities, attractive landscaping and good pedestrian connections were noted to be an important aspect of the redevelopment concept.
The applicant will be seeking a zoning amendment to permit these uses. Presently, the Zoning District primarily permits office buildings. This process will include a public hearing before the Town Board.
This portion of the Town of Greenburgh (Rt. 119 – Tarrytown, P.O.) has many office buildings, many of which remain successful due to their proximity to the Tappan Zee Bridge and highways, attractive appearances and amenities, and access to complimentary uses; however, as noted at the work session and in the Town’s Comprehensive Plan, the Office Building market is not increasing, highlighting the need to consider the evolving office market. The Comprehensive Plan supports a good mix of-non-residential uses in this office business district in the Town. The discussion at the work session is available at the link below.
PAUL FEINER
