Yonkers City Council adopts extension of battery storage moratorium and approves grants, contracts and appointments

The Yonkers City Council on Jan. 14, 2025 adopted a package of 16 ordinances, resolutions and appointments, including an extension of a temporary moratorium on battery energy storage systems and several grant acceptances for senior and youth services.

The package included a general ordinance extending the temporary moratorium on battery energy storage systems in the City of Yonkers, an ordinance granting an appeal related to a self‑storage temporary moratorium, two special ordinances and associated intermunicipal agreements to accept Westchester County grants for senior transportation and senior information-and-assistance services, the acceptance of a Westchester County Youth Bureau grant to fund the Yonkers Social Circus, renewal of professional services contracts for auditing and financial consulting, two settlement resolutions, one planning‑board appointment, and two resolutions scheduling zoning public hearings for Jan. 28, 2025.

Why it matters: The moratorium extension leaves in place a pause on new battery energy storage installations while the city studies the issue; the grants provide short‑term funds to expand senior transportation and outreach and support a youth program. Renewed contracts and settlements affect the city’s fiscal and legal obligations.

Most measures were introduced by the administration or the council, discussed briefly at the Jan. 7 rules committee and then moved to the council floor. Council discussion on most items…