NYS Supreme Court Upholds Town of Yorktown Zoning Law
In a significant victory for new land uses in the Town of Yorktown, the New York State Supreme Court recently upheld zoning overlay districts adopted by the Yorktown Town Board in 2021 to incentivize economic development.
The overlay districts provide greater flexibility over land use, including mixed-use concepts, to encourage private developers to invest in Yorktown Heights and Oceola Lake sections of Yorktown.
“The BCW recognized early on that then-Supervisor Matt Slater was trying to think outside of the box and he crafted an economic development approach that could be a model for local governments across the state and nation,” said John Ravitz, Executive Vice President and COO of the BCW.
In its decision, the State Supreme Court concluded Yorktown’s overlay district law complies with the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) and that the Town Board appropriately considered the law’s cumulative impact. According to Supreme Court Judge George Fufidio, “The whole plan was carried out in a proper, careful and reasonable manner.”
Slater—now a New York Assembly member representing Yorktown—first introduced the overlay districts as part of his Reboot Yorktown Task Force, which he convened following the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The plan also included a comprehensive rebranding of the town through the “Destination Y” campaign.
“The court’s ruling validates the great care we used to craft an economic development plan that will revitalize the Yorktown Heights business district,” said Assemblyman Slater. “The overlay district law has been the key to attracting millions of dollars in new private investment in Yorktown Heights, and it will continue to transform our town and grow the local commercial tax base.”
To date, Yorktown officials approved both the Underhill Farms redevelopment of the former Soundview School campus and the Gardena Boutique Hotel under the overlay district.
“This overlay zoning is intended to position Yorktown businesses for success, and that’s where we are headed,” said Yorktown Supervisor Tom Diana.
More News
Watch the New Conference Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1yJKlAKSyA (Valhalla, NY) – Westchester County honored the extraordinary life, leadership and legacy of Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey with the dedication of the United States Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey Community Green at Kensico Dam Plaza. For more than three decades, Lowey served the people of Westchester County in the United […]
The Business Council of Westchester extends a special thank you to our 2026 Annual Dinner Presenting Sponsors, Montefiore Einstein and Cappelli Development, for their generous support of this year’s celebration of leadership and legacy. Montefiore Einstein is a nationally recognized academic medical center advancing excellence in patient care, groundbreaking research and the education of the […]
(White Plains, NY) – Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins announced the arrival of 116 new hybrid-electric buses that will modernize the Bee-Line Bus System, improve the customer experience and complete the transition away from diesel-powered buses. The new fleet includes 111 New Flyer 40-foot Xcelsior® hybrid-electric buses and five 35-foot Xcelsior® hybrid-electric buses. The investment […]
Become A Member
Join the county’s largest and most influential business organization today.
JOIN NOW!