News
RB Zoners Reject Y Expansion Plan
By John Burton
RED BANK - After months of hearings, members of the borough zoning board denied an application by the YMCA to expand their facilities at 166 Maple Avenue.
Because the expansion plan required a "D" variance for a non-conforming use, five 'yes' votes were required for approval. But at its meeting last Thursday, Feb. 4, the board's vote was four in favor and three against the plan.
The Y was seeking approval to build a 40,361 square feet addition to the facility's existing 55,537 square feet, which would have included a new pool, gymnasium, and other amenities.
The Y's existing facility was built in the early 1960s and its last substantial renovation took place in the 1970s.
The tax-exempt, not for profit organization has been in Red Bank for approximately 136 years. According to Andrea Plaza, the Y's vice president for family health and fitness, it is the longest serving communitybased organization in the borough. The Community YMCA planned the expansion in attempts to increase membership, from about 9,000 to 12,000. During past hearings, zoning board members and the public have criticized the proposal as overly ambitious with some alleging that the facility is more interested in attracting fee paying members than in serving the community at large. "The word on the street is that the Y services (the) high income (residents) of Red Bank," and the lower income could apply for scholarships, but a large swath in the middle are left out," said board member Kevin Moss.
Some neighbors also expressed concern about traffic congestion on Maple Ave/Route 35. In response, the Y agreed to prohibit cars from exiting left onto Maple Avenue. Neighbors of the property also took issue with some aspects of the plan. Members of Congregation Beth Shalom, a Jewish orthodox temple next door to the Y, successfully negotiated with 'Y' representatives to make changes in the plan to address their concerns, but some neighbors still had issues. Marvin Golden, a temple member, said last Thursday, "I have a difference of opinion," with the temple lawyer, and didn't share the view that all had been resolved. "I am convinced by being surrounded like Custer's Last Stand, I don't think the congregation would survive as it has for many years," Golden told the board. "I'm of the opinion that more cars will make it a more dangerous situation," said Mike Rooney, who lives across the street from the 'Y', on Waverly Place.
But the Y had its supporters, who came out to express that support to the board. "I heard about traffic, I heard about water, I heard about electricity. But didn't hear about children, and that's what it's all about," said Krishna Tyler, a Leighton Avenue resident who said her children learned to swim at the Y.
"This is not perfect," acknowledged board member Manny Carabel, before voting in favor of the application, and then added, "But the positives outweigh the negative."
"I have to say the increase of the membership would be a great benefit to the Y and a benefit to many surrounding communities," said board member Karen Waldman, before her negative vote, adding, "I don't see how the immediate residents are going to benefit from this addition."
After the denial of the application the Y's attorney Martin A. McGann said, "I thought the client took numerous steps to accommodate the board." "The word I'll use is disappointment," he said of the decision.
"The reason we made this application is to support all of our programs," which benefit underprivileged children, those with substance abuse problems and others, including providing free memberships to borough police and the volunteer fire department members, said Sean Byrnes, a member of the YMCA's board of directors.
