Zipline Coming to Woodbury Ski Area

The will offer a new zipline and a second summer tubing run.

The Zoning Board of Appeals approved, 4-1, the special exception for the zipline, second tubing run and a storage containment area, at its Monday, April 30, special meeting.

Board member Lawrence McDonald cast the nay vote.

Attorney Perley Grimes, on behalf of Woodbury Ski Area owner Rod Taylor, said the proposal changed since the at the .

Grimes said the proposal changed because the height of the initial zipline structure was 50 feet and the ZBA members said 35 feet is the maximum allowable height.

The new plan features a shortened zipline and will not cross any tubing runs, as was the case initially, Grimes said. He said the proposal is for the following:

• A 215-foot tandem zipline
• A 125-foot intermediate zipline
• A 75-foot junior zipline

The existing tennis and paddle courts will be removed from the property, Grimes said.

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Sarah Shinn Pratt was the only person in attendance from the public. She is an abutting property owner and expressed concern about the zipline being 50 feet away from the property line.

Shinn Pratt also wanted to be sure the zipline and crowd of people using it will not be visible from her property.

"I'm willing to work with Rod to have his land be used to make money," she said. "Is it too much to ask that he keep it out of my sight?"

Grimes said Taylor wants to be a good neighbor.

Board Chairman Mike Novak said he feels the change in size is a good move to make.

"Certainly we have a series of conditions we want the motion to reflect," he said.

The conditions are as follows:

• No new lighting as a result of the uses
• Hours not to exceed 8 p.m.
• Height of zipline support poles not to exceed 35 feet
• The removal of tennis and paddle courts
• All new construction must be within the setback