Park Cities YMCA Receives Council’s Approval
In what seemed to have been a shocker to both sides, University Park City Council unanimously decided to approve the YMCA’s request to build its new structure.
For those following along at home, last meeting the council postponed their decision on the Y’s counter-proposal of 57,200 square feet for more review.
The council asked for a reduction from 65,000 to 52,000 and the Y responded with their own 52,000 square foot plan that would have an additional 10 percent of non-activity space that pushes the maximum square footage to 57,200.
It seems the council liked the changes they made as they voted 5-0, now putting the pressure on how the square footage will be drawn into the renovation.
Read more in this week’s Park Cities People.
Feel free to make the jump for some of the council’s commentary before the vote:
- Councilmember Tommy Stewart said.
“It was a tough decision for all of us. We studied this issue hard. It’s one that has effected the community in many ways. I just hope whatever the outcome is that we all pull together for the betterment of the community and its citizens.”
-Councilmember Robert Clark.
“The decision to proceed or not on this project is solely on the Y. They have the right to accept or reject our decision. If they decide to proceed, the parking will be off-street and on-site underground. And the neighborhood will benefit greatly by that. It will be an enormous improvement in the quality of the neighborhood and the value of the neighborhood around the Y.”
“The size of the building I know has been an enormous issue. However, looking at a building of this size, whether it has 10 percent more non-activity space or not, I do not believe, and I would challenge anyone to notice the difference. It will not generate more traffic, and therefore I think this is the right thing to do and the best thing to do for the city of University Park and certainly with the Y.”
- Counclimember Bob Begert
“Depending on how this vote turns out, I would hope that the YMCA will make it a primary objective to be a better neighbor. We have heard many things about how you have not been a good neighbor. However the vote comes out, I hope you take it to heart that these folks over here want you to be a better neighbor.”
19 comments to "Park Cities YMCA Receives Council's Approval"
However, the Y in their continued deviousness put in an additional application to the City to have that increased by another 10%. This reinforces what the residents have always felt in that the Y is operating as a business and cares nothing about being a good neighbor.
Last night’s vote exposed the weakness of the Council in not sticking to its original decision. They merely yielded to the pressures of the Y with total disregard to their taxpaying residents for whom they represent.
A pathetic and disappointing performance on all counts.
The Y is NOT a commercial use:
1) Based a legal perspective: It’s a charitable non-profit, not a commercial venture. I think you’ll find it’s registered under the tax code as such, and meets all the rigorous legal, financial and tax parameters that go with that.
2) Based on its program model: Like most non-profits, the Y offers a range of programs and services, some of which are free, and some of which require a minimal fees to recoup costs. It is not unlike the City of UP Pool, numerous pre-schools, charitable daycares, Boy Scout troops, churches and the like which do the same. That what program-based, charitable organizations do. For example, UP Methodist has a daycare with an enrollment of 330 and as staff of 40 that runs 5 days a week. Does anyone consider them a commercial use?
3) Based on the UP Zoning Ordinance: The Y is officially categorized as “Community Center”, which is listed in the “Educational, Institutional or Special Use” section of the UP Zoning Ordinance. Many commercial uses are listed elsewhere, but it is not grouped with those.
The reality is that the Y’s original request was supported by 5 separate traffic studies and every single relevant UP planning precedent. Thank goodness the Council relied on those and the many other relevant facts in making their decision. IMO, that’s a sign of strength, not weakness.
So, if the Y is not a commercial use (technically correct), and is a charitable, non-profit venture, why would they want to grow so large, despite much residential opposition? I’ve lived here a long time, and we use the Y, I’ve never heard a lot of complaints that the Y needs to be much bigger.
And for the record, I don’t live near the Y, nor do I live near HP Pres, and so I’m not really up in arms about these issues. And I will benefit from a bigger Y. See how that works?
@ Welcome Response, easy for you to tell everyone who opposed this to move on, you won.
Decisions are made all the time -there will always be some hard feelings when things don’t go our way.
I don’t recall my indicating being for or against – just pointing out that I was glad a decision was finally made that the Council pointed out that,in their judgment, reflected the higher good of the community in general.
Most of us don’t like change, but it’s inevitable. I’m learning to focus on what good will come out of a decision I may not have agreed with.
So the Council decided for the good of the vast majority of our citizens. But the neighborhood will be vastly improved in several ways. First, the biggest complaint of the neighbors, the parking and traffic will be largely eliminated thanks to the million dollar underground parking facility the Y has proposed. You could double the activity at the Y and the traffic problem would still be eliminated thanks to this investment. Second, the auto break-ins that make up the crime in the neighborhood will be eliminated. I can’t imagine many folks breaking into a car in the new underground parking facility – there will be no escape for a robber. Finally, while the Y is a landmark, it’s gotten a bit long in the tooth, and the new facility will improve the looks of the neighborhood while keeping the character of the old building.
So while there are two sides to every story, I believe the Council served the greater good in this case, and, my hat is off to them for doing so.
After listening to the Y’s “neighbors” and reading some of the comments here, I’d like to echo Councilmember Bob Begert’s words as if he turned his head to the other side of the room. “I hope you take it to heart that these folks over here want you to be a better neighbor.” Time for the “No, birds” to be good neighbors to the many, many community members that make up the Park City YMCA.
If you choose to purchase a home near a busy street like Preston or Mockingbird, or near a busy institution like SMU, then yes, you will be at higher risk of a “commercial development” expanding or locating near you.
When I came home from serving in the Marine Corps in Afghanistan I noticed that the majority of the Park Cities had a major face lift, I barely recognized the whole city, but not the old Y. Except for a new sign it seemed untouched.
In my life I’ve noticed that change seems to ruffle feathers and this issue seems to be a passionate one, I’m glad a decision was made and lacking a more elaborate response think that as a whole the plan will continue to benefit the community greatly.
Hopefully those who disagree with the outcome can agree that the Y is a great part of our community and it is important to maintain those organizations that bring us together.
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