Lysander (WSYR-TV) -- The YMCA has pulled its application to build a facility in the town of Lysander, but that may not mean it’s done fighting for that location. A loophole in the town planning board’s rules may quickly change things, again.
Volunteers have been working on a Northwest Family YMCA in the Radisson area for almost ten years. They’ve faced unforeseen difficulties and they’re now facing a lawsuit from neighbors near the site they chose as most viable for a “Y” and back in June. The town’s planning board rejected their project, so they’ve pulled their application. But that planning board may be about to change in the Y’s favor.
The town has proposed adding two new members to the planning board. These members would not be able to vote on any pending applications, but they could vote on new ones. If the YMCA submits a new application, two new members could provide enough votes to approve the Y’s application and they could start building at the controversial site in Raddison. Northwest Family YMCA board members denied that pulling their application had anything to do with the planning board’s restructuring.
When asked if that had anything to do with the re-application process, NW Family YMCA Board Member Sandy Baker said, “No. I know that was one of the things they've talked about. They're going to go to a public hearing, whether that happens or not, right now it's still the board of managers for the YMCA that's looking at how do we best get a YMCA built. What's the best site and where do we have to apply.”
The YMCA already owns the contested property in the town of Lysander, but says there are other sites board members are still considering in the Baldwinsville area. The board members NewsChannel 9 spoke with said they're now focused on picking a site that they can start building on the quickest.
The Town of Lysander is having a public hearing about adding members to the town planning board this Monday at 7 p.m.
