YMCA Accepts Armory Site - SuffolkJournal.com

YMCA Abandons Edgewood for Nesconset Armory Site
by Nancy A. Bock

April 22, 2003

Facing thousands of signatures on petitions opposing a massive expansion of their Edgewood Avenue, Smithtown, facility, the YMCA has agreed to relocate to the former NYS Armory property in Nesconset.

The ambitious three phase plan for upwards of 45,000 square feet of recreational space at their existing parcel was met with vocal opposition from residents who claimed the not-for-profit “membership” club had exceeded its original uses.

Several years ago the YMCA had purchased adjoining property, demolished an historic home on the site and extended their summer camp program onto the new property. Opponents of the expansion project pointed out that the use of the new parcel as well as other changes at the YMCA were done without benefit of permits, Certificates of Occupancy and sometimes were contrary to zoning regulations in the residential neighborhood.

The YMCA recently announced that it had met its fundraising goals for the building project with the pledge of $200,000 from PJ Ventures, a local development company, through the efforts of [Councilman] Thomas McCarthy. In addition to funds raised locally, the L.I. YMCA was providing financing for the project.

While the town’s Board of Zoning Appeals avoided making a decision on the YMCA application for a special exception permit to expand, residents continued to appear at town board meetings to demand sanctions for existing violations as well as a denial of the application.

Today, Supervisor Patrick Vecchio outlined the “conceptual” agreement reached between the town and YMCA to permit the organization to use the dormant Nesconset Armory site for their new center. The existing building, at 23,800 square feet, is approximately the size of the phase one building the YMCA sought to construct in the St. James hamlet of Smithtown.

“This is Mike’s and my dream,” Councilwoman Jane Conway said of the proposed settlement, referring to former Councilman, now Assemblyman Mike Fitzpatrick. “We have long advocated the town building a recreation center at that site and I’m pleased they have come around to our way of thinking.”

As part of the agreement, the YMCA will withdraw its application to expand in St. James. Resident Rick Isabel, who opposed the YMCA’s original plans, asked if the town was going to close loopholes and correct what he described as unclear definitions within its code to eliminate potential for a re-application by the YMCA or some other organization in the future.

A handful of residents, having heard about the special town board meeting called for today, were on hand as the details of the meetings between the town and YMCA were offered. While reportedly a “confidential” matter not shared even with town board members or department heads, YMCA officials were talking about the decision to move during the past week.

The town would offer a 100 year lease of the building and “additional lands surrounding the building sufficient to accommodate” the YMCA’s current and “anticipated reasonable expansion.” The YMCA would pay $1/year but be responsible for all maintenance, construction, insurance and other costs. Smithtown taxpayers would pay nothing, Vecchio explained.

In addition, the YMCA would provide 3,000-3,500 square feet of office space for the Town Recreation Department to use as well as a community room for use by groups and organizations. The YMCA would have exclusive use of the soccer and Little League field being built on the site during July through August during daylight hours on weekdays, but town residents/groups would have use the remainder of the time. Approximately three acres of athletic fields would be constructed by the YMCA. The town’s only maintenance responsibility would be to the Little League field which Vecchio described as “needing special expertise.”

Smithtown recovered the Armory property from New York State in the mid-1990’s for one dollar because it had donated the property originally. Since its return to town ownership, Conway and Fitzpatrick have been spearheading efforts to develop the property as a recreational center, but could not get enough support from other board members. Former Councilman Michael Hollander joined the pair during his term, leading to the most recent layout but the plans remained in the “design” phase.

“Clearly this is a far better location for the YMCA than Edgewood Avenue,” Conway said.

All facilities on the Edgewood Avenue property would be removed and the property sold for residential use according to the agreement. Because of environmental concerns it is anticipated the property would accommodate 9 homes. Conway suggested that the environmentally sensitive lands be donated to the town to preserve them.

Fitzpatrick was equally pleased with the outcome. “Under this plan both town residents and members of the YMCA will have use of this recreational [park],” he said. “It’s the best of both worlds.

The 40 acre site is comprised of two parcels. The front 8 acres, which includes the armory building has some restrictions on its use, but the rear portion is town-owned parkland and remains heavily wooded. While most of the development of the YMCA will be on the front, the rear will include a jogging, walking trail through the woods. Natural buffers of 400 feet and more separate the trails and other uses from adjoining residential homes. The YMCA will undertake all of the improvements but it was not clear whether the lease would include the rear acres, since they are designated a town park.

The conceptual site plan presented at a town board work-session on April 22, included features from the town’s Armory Park plan, including landbanked parking, the gazebo envisioned by the Nesconset Chamber of Commerce and a spot for a “future” building. A “pad” had been offered to the Town Library for construction of a library branch several years ago but was declined by the Library Trustees. The new Special District Library trustees have yet to announce their long range plans, although several members have dismissed the Armory as a potential site.

Whether or not the YMCA remodels the existing Armory building or razes it for a new one has not been determined. Conway stated that both town engineers and outside experts have determined that the building is not only “sound” but extremely suitable for a recreation center and should be renovated. She objected to allowing the YMCA to determine unilaterally if the building warranted saving and said that as a town asset that issue must be decided by the town board.

“If they decide to tear it down, it is their loss,” Fitzpatrick agreed. “The building is certainly useable and would enable them to get up and running much more quickly.” The cost to demolish it and remove the debris had been estimated four years ago to exceed one million dollars.

The YMCA has stated it will correct all violations on its Edgewood Avenue site and will operated its day care and summer camp programs there this year.

Resident Andrew Liccari inquired if the YMCA would be permitted to use the added acreage for its camp program since it did not have a special exception permit (the application was never approved and is being withdrawn) to which Vecchio said, “Live with it this summer. You’re getting rid of them. It’s only for one more summer.”