Planning Board Hosts Public Hearing on Proposed Adventure Zone
The Waterville Valley Planning Board convened a special meeting on November 24, 2025, to conduct a public hearing on an application for a proposed adventure zone. The project, intended to enhance recreational offerings and stimulate economic activity in the town core, drew a mix of supportive comments and practical inquiries from attendees. The board stressed that the hearing was solely for gathering public input, with no deliberations or decisions scheduled for that day. A final determination on the application—approval, approval with conditions, or denial—is mandated by January 17, 2026, marking 65 days from the application’s acceptance as complete on November 13, 2025.
The session opened with the board outlining its constrained role, limited to assessments based on voter-approved ordinances, regulations, and state law. A representative for the select board, acting on behalf of the town as an abutter, sought clarification on four easements affecting the property: access, drainage, ice storage for Zamboni maintenance, and parking. The revised plans referenced these easements, but only the parking easement was depicted with boundaries, leaving the others unclear in terms of delineation and dimensions (link). The applicant’s engineer responded that some easements were established by rights without specific bounds descriptions or recorded plans, and offered to collaborate with the town’s attorney for further clarity post-meeting.
Public testimony revealed varied perspectives on the adventure zone’s potential impact. A resort representative strongly endorsed the project, viewing it as a catalyst for increased activity in the town’s core, which was originally designed around a hub-and-spoke model. They highlighted benefits including higher lodging occupancy, year-round guest appeal, and the relocation of adventure operations to a less visible area, allowing for a centralized information hub on town amenities. The proposal was described as a starting point for revitalizing the area, with features like an expanded Nordic center, indoor cafe, ropes course, mini golf, maze, and bike shop to improve experiences for Nordic skiers, mountain bikers, and families (link).
Several residents shared supportive views, citing personal observations of declining town vitality since the late 1980s, including reduced skier visits and quieter summers in Town Square. One long-time resident and ski instructor emphasized the need for change to attract families and tourists, noting the project’s potential to provide activities for all ages without transforming the town into a more commercialized area like Lincoln (link). Another resident, a business owner, echoed this, stating that increased tourism would sustain healthier businesses with extended hours and more vibrant offerings. Letters read aloud from absent residents reinforced these points, portraying the adventure zone as an investment in economic sustainability, offering diverse seasonal activities, broadening recreational options beyond alpine skiing, and generating revenue to offset upcoming town expenses while preserving the community’s family-friendly identity (link).
Concerns primarily centered on parking adequacy. Data from the applicant’s parking study indicated that a shared east-side parking area reached 100% capacity on one observed day and 90% on others, raising questions about availability for the new use (link). The board confirmed the study’s inclusion in the application and its availability on the town website, though some attendees reported difficulty locating it initially. A peer review by an independent expert is in progress, with results to be discussed publicly during future deliberations.
Additional comments addressed the project’s alignment with community needs, such as providing beginner lessons for Nordic activities, easy trail access for biking, and indoor spaces for leisure. Supporters argued it would encourage exploration of surrounding forests and attract young families, while acknowledging aesthetic and maintenance considerations. One lodging manager supported the initiative for its year-round focus, including cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, and expressed confidence in the resort’s ability to maintain the facility (link).
Due to time constraints and to accommodate those unable to attend, the public hearing was continued to December 1, 2025, at 6 p.m. in the same location (link).
In the subsequent portion of the meeting, the board shifted to discussions on proposed zoning ordinance amendments. These included rezoning unzoned areas along River Road to low-density residential, correcting potential mapping errors for two recreational lots to reflect their residential use, and rezoning a civic-zoned lot housing a visitor center and restaurant to village commercial for consistency (link). The board also considered expanding the landscaping and property maintenance section to encompass structures, enabling potential bonding for dilapidated ones. A public hearing on these amendments was scheduled for December 16, 2025, at 6 p.m., with emphasis on retroactive enforcement from the first hearing date and the importance of public feedback for any adjustments.
The meeting underscored the town’s efforts to balance development with community preservation, with the adventure zone serving as a focal point for ongoing dialogue.