Public given opportunity to weigh in on new Adv. Park application

    A subject of many Leavenworth residents interest and a topic that arose during many city council meetings - a step for the possible future installment of the Adventure Park was an agenda item at the November 27 City Council meeting.
    The conversation and speculation around the theme park had somewhat dimmed down over the course of recent months after being in the spotlight for a large portion of time. Regardless of whether one was in favor of a stomach dropping Alpine Coaster or grimacing at the thought of the echoes of loud screams - Adventure Park was a common fixture in conversations amongst neighbors in Leavenworth. And despite becoming a somewhat diluted topic of controversy after the application withdrawal in September, the applicants Dave Moffett and John Sutherland have provided a new Conditional Use Permit application on November 8.
    During the November 27 City Council meeting, Vespier announced that this was not an agenda item requesting any action or meant to stir up huge discussion since it's just a first base step, and is only relaying general foundation information.
    "Tonight we are not seeking any action or comment on the Adventure Park application. This agenda item is intended to provide you information prior to the Notice of Application about a request by the project applicant to modify the location of the existing easement," said Lilith Vespier, development service manager.
    The application was submitted with site plans showing the proposed location to the south of the city property with an easement extension. The size and location of the easement will be defined at a later date, according to City Council documents.    
    "After the applicant reviewed the site and based on the need to reach the top of the Langston property for construction and in cases of emergencies, the project applicant will be requesting modification to the easement to address how steep the road is as recommended by the fire district," said Vespier.
    It was clear at the meeting that following along with the process will be transparent to the public and this first step is having a comment period running for a 14 day window, December 5-19. The various materials for better understanding of the application are available both online or in person at City Hall. These comments are not only evaluated by the city but also by the applicant to gauge how to address these concerns, if they decide to do so.
    "The project applicants are the ones who address any questions. I'm just here to let you know that this is in the application materials, so when you get calls which you may, you'll know what you're looking at and what might be talked about," said Vespier. "We'll do a notice of application for the public to weigh in and agencies to weigh in, Fire Marshal, Public Works. After we get all of the comments in, we want to take some time to read through them, consider them, understand the comments and the impact of the comments."  
    Following the upcoming comment period, a State Environmental Protection determination will be made. After this step is completed, another comment period will be launched for individuals to voice concerns, comments or questions.