RED BANK — A typical meeting of the borough’s Zoning Board of Adjustment is not usually much of a draw for the area’s youth. Last week, however, the main meeting room at the borough’s municipal building saw roughly two dozen teen-agers filling seats for the board’s meeting.
They were there, many with skateboards in hand, to show support for what is not a typical Zoning Board application — the skate park proposed for the Community YMCA on Maple Avenue.
They left a little wiser about the processes of municipal government, and were somewhat disappointed about how slowly the process can operate.
The hearing was postponed at the request of Y representatives because two of the seven board members present indicated they would be recusing themselves. The application, for a "special reasons" or "D" use variance, requires a minimum of five affirmative votes instead of a simple majority, explained Michael DuPont, board chairman.
Richard W. Pollock, president and chief executive officer for the Community YMCA, said he and those representing the facility were prepared to present the application to the board, and he was confident of receiving approval.
Nevertheless, Pollock added, on advice of attorney Donald B. Steel, the YMCA would agree to have its application carried until the March 21 meeting, when it can be heard by a seven-member panel.
"They’re entitled, the YMCA, to having the whole board hear it," DuPont said.
DuPont said additional members had planned to be present for this application, but apparently were unable to be there.
There are also some engineering concerns, DuPont told Steel and Pollock.
DuPont, a local attorney, said he planned to recuse himself because his law partner is a member of the YMCA’s board.
Board member Lauren Nicosia also planned to step down for this application.
"I get a check from the Y" for teaching an aerobics class at the Maple Avenue facility, Nicosia said.
For the sake of the youths who came, Pollock asked DuPont to provide a "civics lesson" to explain what was happening "since we’ve gone to the trouble of having a delegation here tonight," Pollock said.
DuPont explained the situation "for the benefit of the kids here," he said.
"We, too, are disappointed," the chairman said.
Many of the young skateboard enthusiasts were not won over.
"It’s a metaphor of what we go through as skateboarders," said Brian Atlas, 17, Rumson.
Brian said there is a prejudice against skateboarders. The evidence of this bias, he said, can be seen in Red Bank’s ordinance prohibiting skateboarding on the streets.
"It’s typical," added Mike Butler, 18, Monmouth Beach.
"I skate in Red Bank, anyway," Mike said. "If you get caught, you pay the price."
That price, he said, could be a summons for as much as $130.
Mike said he has had his skateboard taken away by Monmouth Beach police, but "it seems like Red Bank is a lot worse about it," he said.
"They’ve got parks for everything but skateboards," he said.
The only adequate facility in the area for skateboarding, the youngsters said, is the Eatontown Roller Rink, which was conducting a "skateboard night" at $10 a person for three hours. But that facility has discontinued it, and the building is for sale.
"It’s disappointing, but those are the rules," said Pollock, referring to the delay.
"It’s good to see young people come together for a good cause," said Daniel Kasambira, executive director of the Community YMCA.
The YMCA is hoping to build the skate park in its Fahey Outdoor Sports Complex, located at the rear of the Maple Avenue property.
Pending approval, officials for the YMCA said construction would begin in the spring and take approximately 60 to 90 days to complete.
Officials estimate the cost for the facility to be about $275,000.
The park, officials said, will provide a safe, supervised environment for skateboarding, and will require that appropriate protective gear, such as helmets, knee and elbow pads, be worn.
A number of the youths who attended the evening’s meeting also participated in research in preparing the design of the proposed facility, said Bob Chen, senior program director.
In addition to supplying a safe haven for area skateboarders, the facility will also create a number of part-time jobs, which could be filled by the same youths, according to Kasambira.
"It’s good to see the YMCA on the cutting edge," Kasambira said. "We’re not just a gym and a swim."
The public hearing on the application is scheduled for the March 21 meeting.
"I truly think it’ll come out for the good, eventually," Kasambira said.