BY JOSH DAVISNorth Country This Week

CANTON – A public hearing regarding the proposed fitness center on Riverside Drive drew some concerns about limited parking but generally displayed community support for the gym’s potential impact on downtown Canton. 

Ralph Isabella and Susan Sears plan to construct a 4,000 square foot fitness center with mezzanine at 11 and 11.5 Riverside Drive in the village of Canton, the current Pike’s Auto and former Napa locations. 

In April, the project received a $807,000 NY Forward grant to create a commercial fitness hub at the site. 

On June 11, Isabella and Sears asked the Canton village Zoning Board of Appeals to grant two variances related to parking spaces and setback. 

Their plans include constructing a new building on the site, which would cause the total number of available parking spaces to drop from 16 to 11. 

Zoning board members at the June 11 meeting were unable to vote on the variances related to the project due to a lack of quorum, but held the public hearing and meeting discussion to act at a later date.

Zoning Board of Appeals Chair Conrad Stuntz reviewed two emailed public comments at the hearing, one of which raised concerns about parking while the other spoke in favor of the potential fitness center as a needed amenity in the village.

Others present at the hearing asserted that parking is at a premium at that location, and existing businesses should be assured that their current parking accommodations are not impacted, 

Others said the gym could result in more street parking on Riverside Drive, which could be a hazard for bicycle traffic. 

Sears said that their plans include installing a wall or hedge to keep gym customers from parking in spaces belonging to nearby buildings like Rushton Place. 

We want to be good neighbors,” Isabella said. 

At the meeting following the public hearing, Stuntz said “I feel that Napa and Pike’s is due a reno of some kind,” describing the “fading” condition of the building.

The Zoning Board of Appeals will reconvene June 24 at 7 p.m. with plans to vote on the variances.