Waterville Valley planning board continues hearing on proposed adventure center after public testimony on parking, views and maintenance

The Waterville Valley Planning Board on Nov. 13 heard more than a dozen members of the public and project representatives about a proposed adventure center, then voted to continue the public hearing to Dec. 1 at 6 p.m. to allow a pending peer review of a parking study to be completed and to gather additional public comment.

David Lafibre, an attorney for the Board of Selectmen, urged clarity on four easements referenced in the application (parking, access, drainage and Zamboni/ice-storage rights), saying the plan did not clearly delineate dimensions. "There's actually a parking area easement that is shown on the plan designated as a parking easement," Lafibre said, adding that other easements were described by rights but not shown by meets-and-bounds on the record plan.

Project engineer Paul Chisholm of Keach Nordstrom Associates acknowledged the discrepancy and offered to work with the town attorney to clarify how certain rights are recorded, saying some rights are retained by description rather than plotted lines.

Several speakers said parking capacity will be a key issue. Mike Farber asked whether the revised application included a parking study and what its findings were; the board confirmed a parking study was submitted and that a peer review is underway and will be discussed publicly. David Lafibre cited applicant-submitted counts showing the town's East Side shared parking at or near capacity on multiple days and warned that the area "is not an area that is available for parking for this new use."

Supporters said the center could help revive Town Square and broaden off-season visitation. Dave Smith, representing Townsquare/WBSR, said the adventure center would "bring more activity into the core of our town" and provide a centralized hub to help lodging occupancy and guest experience year-round. Marissa Preston, operations manager for Waterville Valley Resort, described components including an indoor café, a bike shop with direct trail access, mini-golf and aerial elements aimed at families and younger visitors.

Other residents expressed conditional support while raising design and environmental concerns. Charles Hastings, a longtime resident, said Corcoran Pond is "symbolic of Waterville Valley" and urged that shoreline trees and views be preserved; another resident warned that the proposed "sky track" structure may be tall and visually intrusive when entering town. Remote commenter Paul Badaro asked what maintenance requirements will ensure a privately owned facility does not fall into disrepair.

Catherine Brennan moved to continue the hearing to Dec. 1 at 6 p.m.; the motion was seconded (the seconder was not recorded) and the board recorded three "Aye" votes. The chair emphasized that the continuation would allow the peer review to be completed and that no deliberation or final decisions would take place at the Dec. 1 session.

The chair reminded the public that the planning board's determination must occur by Jan. 17, 65 days after the application was accepted as complete on Nov. 13. The board also noted that materials, including the parking study, are part of the application and should be available on the town's website and at town hall; several attendees said they had difficulty locating attachments online.

The hearing remains open; the board said it will discuss the peer-review findings publicly before any deliberation or vote on the application.