At its meeting on Tuesday, April 5, the Planning Board approved plans by the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges to relocate its West Essex facility, currently located at 321 South Livingston Avenue, across the street and north to 304 South Livingston Avenue. The site was formerly the home of Grace Lutheran Church.The applicant, represented by attorney Michael J. Lipari, proposes to construct a 54,049 square foot facility, which will include indoor/outdoor recreation, a 24,719 square foot early learning center/office building, and related site improvements.Granted were design waivers to allow 18 foot wide parking spaces instead of the required 20 feet; a deviation from the township’s requirement that fencing be located within five feet of the front curb line, to allow for a walking path and other design features that will improve the site; and a deviation for a requirement of all-granite curbing, so as to install granite block curbing along Berkeley Terrace, and concrete block curbing elsewhere on the site.Edward Phillip, senior vice president and chief operating officer of Metro YMCA of the Oranges, told the Board that the new facility will replace the existing, 50+ year old, 22,000 square foot facility. The new facility will include two pools, including a warm water teaching pool and a competition-size pool that can be used by the Livingston High School swim team; wellness and studio spaces; and a flexible gathering space. A separate Early Learning Center will include a child care center, an outdoor playground, and office space.Architect TestifiesArchitect Matthew Jarmel told the Board that the facility will include three buildings. The main Y facility, or “wellness center,” will include the pools, studio and gym/fitness space, as well as a 4,300 square foot rooftop wellness deck that will be open to the air.A second building will house the Y’s Early Learning Center, including a ground floor child care center and office space. A third building, 290 square feetA third building, 290 square feet in size, will be used for storage and to house toilet facilities.The project also includes an outdoor field to the rear of the site, which will be used for Y activities and outdoor classes. It will have no lighting, he said. The outside facade will be a mixThe outside facade will be a mix of brick and glass.The Y’s intent, Jarmel concluded, is to move forward with the construction done as one project, with no phasing of completion.Planning Board ...
