Comments on: Park Cities YMCA Asks to Cancel Meetings

By: PC Res

PC Res — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 22:08:10 +0000

Riddex – This is a PD, not straight zoning and per the UP code the standards are established in the PD ordinance. Both the City Attorney and Development Director have specifically stated there is nothing improper about including area measurement provisions as PD condition – and the one proposed aligns with a generally recognized standard (if you rent space anywhere, your square footage is most likely measured to the interior face of the outside wall). So using PD as it was intended is neither stupid nor arrogant – it why the City Code has PDs. It’s also how the Council is able to dictate provisions that significantly deviate from City code such as requiring underground parking, 100 more parking spaces than would otherwise be required, removing perimeter parking, intersection improvements, limited operating hours, extra landscaping, parking studies, a specific site plan, specific elevations, specific materials, and about 2 dozen other provisions that aren’t in the UP Code, but are in the PD conditions. Implying that it’s somehow wrong for the Y to suggest specific provisions, when everyone else in the process is doing so, is an example of the double standard that been applied to the Y throughout much of this process.

By: Another Mother

Another Mother — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 18:53:16 +0000

What would be really stupid would be to take the time and effort to raise the funds and build a facility that is inadequate to meet the needs of the current and future members and the community well into the 21st century. If you are going to have a capital campaign and ask people to donate their money then it needs to be done right or not done at all. Perhaps a vote should be taken to see what the will of all of the citizens of UP is.

By: Riddex

Riddex — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 15:52:54 +0000

PC Res- The standard is and always should be the UP Code of Ordinances since it reflects the will of the citizens and the accepted practices in our community. The Code says measure the outside walls. To do otherwise is either arrogant or stupid. In this case the Y is arrogant to propose it and those who voted for it are stupid.

By: bm

bm — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 03:11:42 +0000

Diane,
The Chase Bank was not turned down.

By: PC Res

PC Res — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 00:43:23 +0000

well duh:
The ANSI standard is consistent with the Y’s position.

The Y’s PD application was specifically based on air conditioned area. This appears several times in the application and consistently throughout their other materials. The ANSI Standard for building measure is ANSI Z65.1. This defines several types of gross area and the one which equates to air conditioned area is Gross Measured Area, also known as Interior Gross Area. Per to ANSI Z65.1, this is measured to the “INSIDE finish of the permanent exterior enclosure [wall]”, which is exactly what the Y said they did. The Y isn’t playing games. Two on council think what was proposed was just fine, but now after nine months, three others have decided they want to change the standard.

By: DIANE

DIANE — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 22:22:15 +0000

I am one of the infamous neighbors on Normandy (west side) who opposed the big Y building. I take full responsibility for moving into a congested neighborhood, just as people who move into the lower Greenville area must do. In the years we have lived here, we have become accustomed to the traffic, the speed of the traffic and the sometimes nice/sometimes not Y patrons who park in front of our homes. We were disappointed by the Council’s decision to allow an oversized building for the new Y; just as some of our neighbors (who moved on Normandy because of the proximity of the Y) were disappointed by some of the parameters directed by the Council. The Y was dissatisfied with the original size outlined by the Council-it got more square feet. This is not at all the same situation as with Chase Bank. The Y was not turned down – they were approved. Now, they need to stop insisting that we be good neighbors, they need to become one!

By: Pat

Pat — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 19:08:40 +0000

We definitely need to expand the Y…. Because the neighborhood could use more creepy older men in yoga pants.

By: XT

XT — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 16:40:48 +0000

Of course all sides share in some of the blame, but the Y seems to be playing by some different rules (inside dimensions? Really?). I actually am in favor of the Y expanding, but they seem unwilling to compromise. And I don’t live anywhere near the Y, don’t know anyone who does, and only use the Y to sign my kids up for youth sports,so truly no dog in this fight. Having been in Real Estate for quite some time, I’ve seen my share of NIMBY’s, and rich NIMBY’s are particularly difficult. That being said, rarely has my company not been able to reach a compromise. The Y has handled this all wrong, as has UP P&Z.

As to those who say they should sell and move elsewhere, exactly where would they move? Go north, and you run into Town North Y. Go East and you run into Lake Highlands Y. But the “they should take their ball and leave” chorus is indicative of the Y’s attitude during this whole ordeal.

By: Avid Reader

Avid Reader — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 15:08:19 +0000

@Just Sayin’
I also do not live in the area near the YMCA, just thought they would be more adult like in this process. Instead; they whined, decided that they didn’t have to follow the council’s outline by bringing back a plan that broke the square footage amount agreed upon, only to get approval anyways, then tried to pull a serious gimmick by saying they were going to measure the size of the building from the inside (never heard/seen of this being done before, and then when asked to provide further details about how their updated YMCA/School would actually operate they cry about actually coming up with concrete answers.

By: Another Mother

Another Mother — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 14:58:05 +0000

I agree with MGBHStar. If I were on the Board of the Y I would recommend leaving the Park Cities entirely. In fact I plan on bringing this up to a friend who is on the board. Then let’s see what happens to the land when it’s sold.