Adventure Park debate comes to a peak

     A line has been etched in the sand for quite some time on the notorious possibility of a theme park in Leavenworth - the Adventure Park has sparked debate between neighbors and triggered some residents to plea with the city to reject the home of the Alpine Coaster. Regardless of locals stance on the Adventure Park topic, it is one that is impossible to ignore, but rather been echoed in council meetings, chats at the grocery store and even made its mark on social media.
    On April 30, the city held a public hearing at the Festhalle starting out at 8 a.m. to review the SEPA appeal on the Adventure Park applicant's Mitigated Determination of Non-Significance.
    "We have carefully reviewed the Mitigated Determination of Non-Significance for the proposed Adventure Park and we find it to be inadequate in several areas. There are issues with code compliance, faulty or unsubstantiated assumptions and inadequate mitigation," read a statement in the SEPA appeal from Friends of Leavenworth.
    Some areas that were disputed during the appeal hearing were: noise impact, parking and traffic impact, aesthetic and lighting and the supposed incorrectly categorized wetland report.
    "Now the combination of the category one wetland plus a habitat score of seven and a higher overall functional score is quite important for the determination of buffer widths under the Leavenworth municipal code," said Robert Parrish, a witness for the appellants. He presented facts discrediting the applicant's wetland report. "The city has accepted the applicant's inaccurate form that only a 90 foot buffer should apply to the Adventure Park."
    Parrish concluded with his observation of the area that the buffer width requirement should actually round out to 120 feet. The appellants harnessed in expert opinions, qualified speakers, residents who researched. Testimony was provided by a mix of lay witnesses and expert witnesses.
    The proposed Adventure Park would be located at the entrance of Tumwater Canyon, which is both an exit and entryway into the Bavarian Village. While the land is zoned tourist commercial, it has caused an influx of individuals to voice concern it will impact the residents as well.
    "Nearly all coaster facilities are located at ski resorts that have night skiing. So the addition of lighting is not as significant as it already exists," said Alison Miller, expert witness, who testified regarding lights and aesthetic.
    The appellants used visuals of condos near the site and images looking upward at the proposed park to illuminate how closely the future theme park treads on residential properties.
    "The MDNS suggests that this proposal is exempt from the zoning code rather than mitigating the negative visual impact of the structure extending up to full height of a 235 foot hillside or acknowledging that this is not allowed by code," said Miller before explaining via city written documents that the codes are in place to maintain the Bavarian character. "
    During public comment, the opposition to the theme park reiterated that the disputed facts (i.e. noise impact, traffic and parking, etc.) from the MDNS have a direct impact on residential well being.
    "The Comprehensive Plan in Leavenworth municipal code emphasis the theme frequently. It is not possible for this proposal to conform to the theme or height limit. Preserving the character of Leavenworth takes precedence over providing different tourist experiences," said Miller.
    A few implied it would dilute Leavenworth's Bavarian character to an artificial, cheap, tourist wormhole. There was audible distaste for the idea of Leavenworth morphing into another Dollywood or Gatlinburg, well known tourist hotspots in Tennessee.
    "Most of our visitors travel some significant distance to come here and enjoy what Leavenworth offers. They seek the pristine quality that we have managed to maintain until now," said Ann Crosby, resident. "If the Adventure Park project is built it will destroy Leavenworth's image as an accessible, charming, rural town and cause many visitors from gridlock urban areas to rethink thriving here if they experience the same kind of traffic jams, noise and density at home."
    Like many theme parks, when tourists are being flung around on a bungee trampoline, the stomach jerking will invoke some screams - noise pollution was a noted area of concern. Lights and noise infiltrating resident homes was issues voiced from many who gravitated to the microphone. Many spoke up about their prediction of more congested traffic and safety concern for bike riders along Icicle Road, already a nuisance that stirs up locals.
    "I'm concerned primarily with safety and traffic. The intersection Highway 2 and Icicle is already scary on a bike, especially during summer months. Also we are not just a theme town, we are a recreation mecca. I have concerns that if we don't have a better mitigation plan for traffic that the recreational tourism could suffer along with quality of life for folks who want to ride their bikes in their community," said Kaylin Bettinger, resident.
    Familiar faces were scattered in the crowd such as several council members, Sharon Waters and Jason Lundgren, along with city administrator Joel Walinski and Mayor Cheri Farivar. The overwhelming outcry during public comment wasn't stifled by city officials being in attendance and some openly addressed the city in their sentiment.
    "And now the city is going to support the construction of the Adventure Park that will sit on a piece of iconic property that is the crown jewel of our west facing view," said Pat Thirlby, resident, resident. "This endorsement would be a complete hypocrisy, our leadership has failed this community. I challenge the community to demand accountability."  
    An exhausted topic, but not one that the residents are tired of combating to preserve what was stated as a fragile, but unique place to call home.
    "Leavenworth has a special but fragile beauty. In order to preserve that we don't need a noisy Adventure Park," said Kristen Sweet, resident.

For more photos of the hearing, those can be found in a photo gallery.