YMCA Requests Rezoning of Residential Lots to Build Parking Lot and Play Area
Decatur Metro | May 20, 2013
From the Staff Report for tonight’s Decatur City Commission Meeting…
YMCA, Inc. wishes to modify the existing master site plan to build a roughly 3,500 square foot addition onto the building and expand the current parking lot to add 56 new parking spaces. The new building will have approximately 51,000 square feet of gross floor area. They propose to rezone two lots [on Maediris Drive] developed with single family houses that are adjacent to the site so that they may demolish the houses to build parking, an expanded detention facility and play area.
As part of the project they will install landscaping and new sidewalks on Maediris Drive. The existing parking lot will be reconfigured to provide additional handicapped parking near the entrance.
In approving this land use change and rezoning, there are many questions that the commission must consider, most or all of which are listed out in the meeting materials.
The Planning Commission already approved these changes in their meeting earlier this month.
Latest from Decaturish
Really, an expanded DETENTION facility and play area?
I guess they deal with a lot of misbehaving children (parents, too).
I wondered what happens to people who don’t shower before entering the pool.
Ooooh, a McYMCAmansion!
In all seriousness, I’m all for any remodeling that will let them add an old-man-naked-lounge that’s completely separate from the regular locker room. If you don’t understand what I’m talking about, count yourself lucky and just forget I ever said anything…
What they are not saying is that they have way too many members to accommodate the facility and that they have a parking lot in the back that is rarely used. They are now encroaching on a neighborhood – that I do not live in – but suspect that they really need to move the facility. The traffic situation on Clairemont and Ponce grew into something far more urban. The Y should consider moving to a much more appropriate location for parking, not in a residential neighborhood, easier entrance and exiting and a larger facility to support the number of members. Right now they need to have folks park in their empty lot too.
Where is this parking lot? I’m a member and have not seen an unused lot. The lot to the back and left is usually full except at down times such as mid-afternoon.
I like having a YMCA I can walk or bike to. If they move to a more “appropriate” location, then (I’m guessing) more people will have to drive there.
But I agree with you, that that location is overcrowded. Fitness classes are always jammed. Boo.
Re “a much more appropriate location for parking, not in a residential neighborhood”: Like where? Maybe the YMCA should have moved into Suburban Plaza instead of Walmart? Or what about the DeVry property? Or where all the empty car dealership spaces are?
Have to admit that the Y is in a good location for us now. I’d probably use it a lot less if were another couple of miles away. Teens in the northeast and north central parts of Decatur can walk to it easily.
My sense is that the Decatur/DeKalb Y functions like a community center for many seniors in this corner of DeKalb County. (Hence J_T’s locker room experience.) Moving the facility might change that dynamic.
I park in the lower lot all the time, and so do many, many others. The trouble is that the Y has peak times and down times. People like to work out in the morning, and Saturday is a zoo! So if you drive by in the afternoon, you may not see cars in the lower lot, but it’s used. I promise!
Interesting. Last week I worked out there for the first time in years (I usually go to East Lake). DDY always seems to be renovating or expanding or buying new workout equipment, but they don’t pay much attention to maintaining the equipment that they already have. Only half of the exercise bikes where in working condition (seats not adjusting, broken handles, etc.) and I noticed another member try out three separate treadmills before she found a working display screen.
BTW, I keep hearing rumors that the new construction on the Callaway Building lot might include a YMCA. Can anyone confirm? It would be great to be within walking distance to a Y.
Underground parking deck. Connected via underground bike tunnel (with craft beer and locally-sourced donut stations) to the development at 335 W Ponce.
Duh.
This idea gets a meh until Trader Joe’s gets a space too.
I live in this neighborhood and am not thrilled with the proposed redevelopment – not because I hate parking or think they shouldn’t grow. My problem is that they have not, in my opinion, thought through a long-term plan for sustainable growth. They have not taken into consideration the quality of the experience for members (as crowding and maintenance issues documented above attest). They are doing nothing to make concerted efforts to adjust their class times or cap their membership to ensure those who attend have a quality experience. If I was a member I would cancel my membership.
Their proposal is not even sufficient, by their own admission, to what they really need in terms of parking. Ultimately, this is a failure to plan wisely on the part of the YMCA and both the neighborhood and the members will suffer. Additionally the city will lose out because they will convert tax revenue producing property into institutional for which the city makes not a dime. And this will set a precedent for other commercial/institutional groups to follow.
I have not been involved, but I understand the Y started working with the neighborhood a couple of months ago to try and get them to accept the Y’s plan. The neighborhood hates the idea of losing 2 houses just to expand a parking lot. The neighbors have always accepted that having a Y means cars parked on side streets during busy hours. It is a small price to pay for having such a community oriented facility nearby. While the Y may not be perfect, I’ll take it over an L.A. Fitness any day. I thought a reduced number of parking spaces and more green space had been worked out, but it looks like the City Commission wanted a better deal than that even. The reality is that this is now an urban area and the Y needs to start thinking like an urban facility. Going up is better than going out.
“The neighbors have always accepted that having a Y means cars parked on side streets during busy hours.”
Agreed, but don’t forget this increased parking lot is being done only because of the Y’s expansion, which will mean more traffic and parking woes.
It will be interesting if a big gym chain were to move into the new WalMart center if that will take a chunk out of the Y’s membership. Personally my issues with the place are:
– basement free weight dungeon
– gymanstics parents fire hazard hallway obstacle course
– old dudes who blow dry their junk in the locker room
Didn’t need that mental image…
Sure glad the women’s locker room is normal. I’ll have to send in one of our male family members to scope out the men’s locker room somedat.
Maybe I’m in the minority but I would love to see a large chain gym open in Suburban. I’m not a member of the Y, but I was one of a small gym until about a year ago and it’s awesome now to not have to wait on equipment, and deal with locker room issues, which for the ladies is mainly a space issue.
The Wellness Center at DeKalb Medical is great. All machines are in good working order, no waits on equipment, and plenty of space in the ladies’ locker room. Plus, the staff members are great – positive and helpful. Plenty of parking (free with membership). Highly recommend.
Lap swimming?
Yes.
Here is the (really long) link to the pool schedule:
http://www.dekalbmedical.org/our-services/wellness-center/~/media/Files/Services/Wellness%20Center/Winter%202013%20Pool%20Schedule%20V231913.pdf