Despite years of negotiations and legal wrangling, some in Forsyth County government didn't learn the Corps had approved a lease with the YMCA until hearing from residents who had seen a sign going up on the property, even though the sign had been permitted by the county's planning and zoning department.

Ken Jarrard, county attorney, confirmed that his office was not notified of the sign permit for the YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta.

“Some of the commissioners began asking me about it,” Jarrard said. “And I think they had gotten questions from some of their constituents and they came to me and asked me what was going on.”

The YMCA filed an application Oct. 7 with the county planning department for a monument-type sign permit. It was approved Oct. 15.

According to a statement from county spokeswoman Jodi Gardner, the application appears to satisfy approval requirements.

She also noted that legal review is typically unnecessary for such a permit.

“However, Forsyth County is now reviewing the sign application in light of the litigation with the [corps] and will take those steps necessary to ensure that the county’s interests are protected with respect to the ongoing Bethel Park dispute.”

Construction for the sign had begun as of Nov. 6.