The Westchester Brief 1.26.26: Housing Wars in Irvington & Indian Point’s Nuclear Comeback

This week on the Westchester Weekly Brief, two stories dominate the conversation—and both reveal how local decisions can ripple far beyond village lines.

First, we look at Irvington’s proposed North Broadway housing development, a 53-unit apartment project that has ignited a fierce debate over growth, affordability, and village identity. Supporters say the project is a long-overdue step toward creating rental housing for teachers, first responders, and young families. Opponents argue it bends zoning rules, threatens historic preservation, and could overwhelm local infrastructure. As similar battles play out across Westchester—from Pleasantville to New Rochelle—Irvington may become the next test case for how the county handles development pressure.

Then, we turn north to Indian Point, where a controversial proposal to reuse the former nuclear plant site has reopened old wounds. Holtec International has floated the idea of a small modular nuclear reactor to power a large AI data center—sparking immediate backlash from local officials, environmental groups, and longtime plant opponents. While no formal plan has been filed, the proposal raises serious questions about energy demand, land use, public trust, and who gets a say in the future of one of Westchester’s most sensitive sites.

Together, these stories highlight a central tension facing the county: how to balance growth, sustainability, and community character in an era of rising housing demand and massive energy needs.

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Transcript

Good morning, this is the Westchester Weekly Brief on I Live Here Westchester, your fast-paced local news segment. I'm your host, and today is Friday, January 23, 2026. In this week’s brief: an intense fight over new housing in Irvington reflects a county-wide development debate, and a controversial pitch to bring nuclear power back to Indian Point sparks backlash and big questions. Let’s get into it.

Irvington North Broadway Housing Proposal

Irvington is on the brink of approving a 53-unit apartment complex on North Broadway, complete with a preschool. It's the first real test of a rezoning plan passed five years ago to allow multifamily housing in this corridor. The development would replace a 19th-century mansion, and it’s drawn strong opposition from residents who say it will increase traffic, erase local history, and strain infrastructure.

The developer, Varma RE, has offered six affordable units—just above the 10% minimum required. Critics say that's not enough given the scale of the project. They’re also furious that the village may tweak zoning rules to accommodate the project, including redefining "school" and relaxing traffic safety provisions. Lawsuits have already been filed by residents, arguing the proposal violates both zoning and preservation codes.

One resident told the board, "We're not against development. We're against reckless development that ignores the rules we all live by."

Supporters counter that Irvington desperately needs more rental housing. They argue this project could broaden the tax base, bring in younger residents, and support local businesses. A former school board member emphasized that the village's future depends on creating options for teachers, first responders, and young families who otherwise can't afford to live there.

Across Westchester, similar debates are playing out. In Pleasantville, officials paused new construction last year after residents raised alarms about density and changing village character. But they found the village could, in fact, absorb moderate growth. In New Rochelle, streamlined zoning has delivered more than 4,500 new units downtown—with minimal political fallout.

We're also seeing a rise in office-to-residential conversions, particularly in places like White Plains and Harrison. Empty corporate parks are being reimagined as mixed-use developments with apartments, retail, and public spaces. The message is clear: the pressure to build is real, and how communities respond is reshaping the fabric of Westchester.

For Irvington, the decision on North Broadway could set a precedent. Will the village stick to its existing rules, or revise them midstream to greenlight this project? A final vote is expected in the coming weeks. Either way, this small village may become a symbol of Westchester's larger struggle over growth, affordability, and identity.

Indian Point Reuse Proposal

Meanwhile in northern Westchester, the Indian Point nuclear plant—shut down in 2021 and now being dismantled by Holtec International—is back in the news. Last fall, Holtec floated a provocative idea: build a small modular nuclear reactor on-site to power a 200-megawatt AI data center.

The backlash was immediate. County legislators passed a resolution opposing any return to nuclear operations. State lawmakers echoed that stance. Environmental and community groups, including longtime Indian Point opponents, held a virtual rally attended by nearly 300 people. Their concerns? Seismic risk, lingering radioactive waste, and the region's lack of a viable evacuation plan.

One local advocate put it bluntly: "We fought for decades to close this plant. We are not doing it again."

Holtec now says it has no formal plan—just that the idea is technically feasible if there were support. But public trust is thin. Holtec is also facing criticism for its plan to discharge treated radioactive wastewater into the Hudson. Although a state law attempted to block the move, a federal court overturned it, saying only federal regulators have that authority.

The data center proposal is also speculative. Holtec has asked the state's grid operator to evaluate whether the site could support that much power demand. No tech company has signed on. No formal plans have been filed. Yet the idea has raised serious questions about land use, power infrastructure, and who gets to decide the future of this high-profile site.

Governor Hochul has expressed interest in small nuclear reactors as part of New York's climate strategy, but she's made clear that any project must have local buy-in. As of now, Buchanan and Westchester County have spoken: they're not on board.

Looking ahead, Indian Point's decommissioning continues, with oversight from state officials and local watchdogs. Holtec says it's focused on safe cleanup. But the conversation about what comes next—and who benefits—is far from over.

That’s it for this week’s Westchester Weekly Brief. Thanks for listening to I Live Here Westchester. Join us next week for more essential local news in under ten minutes. Stay safe and stay informed.