PORT ANGELES — A permit for a proposed zipline park south of Port Angeles has gained approval from the Clallam County Hearing Examiner.
Hearing Examiner Christopher Melly approved a conditional use permit for applicant Dan Williams of Port Angeles on Dec. 23 to operate seven gravity ziplines in the foothills near Little River Road.
Williams, who owns Green Planet Zipline Inc., has proposed to build a $1.8 million zipline course and “eco park” on 40 acres of land leased from the state Department of Natural Resources.
Multiple attempts to reach Williams on Wednesday were unsuccessful.
A public hearing held on Dec. 9 drew mixed reaction to the proposal.
Opponents said they were concerned by expected traffic congestion on Little River, Lake Dawn and upper Black Diamond roads.
Proponents countered by saying that visitors will be taken to the site in vans from downtown Port Angeles The vans would make 16 rounds trips per day during a 178-day season.
There would be no direct public access.
The route would loop south on Hurricane Ridge Road, head west to the site on Lake Dawn and Little River roads and back to Port Angeles on Black Diamond Road.
Thrill seekers would chose from ziplines ranging from 380 feet to 1,586 feet. They would wear harnesses and whisk above the forest floor.
Williams hopes the zipline park will make Port Angeles a tourist destination and a cruise ship stop.
The park would have a cable suspension bridge. Launch platforms for the ziplines would be built in the trees.
The only other infrastructure would be a single-wide mobile home, which would serve as the launch site. Five parking spaces would be available for an expected four employees.
Wind and solar technology would generate the electricity for the park.
Williams filed for the permit from the county on Oct. 19. DNR is the co-applicant of the permit.
22 conditions
Melly approved the conditional use permit with 22 conditions, including formal plans for fire protection, solid waste management, drainage and erosion.
Hours of operation would be restricted to between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. No more than 120 customers could use the park on a given day.
The Foothills trails near the site would remain open.
The conditional use permit is valid for three years with the option of a one-year extension. If the zipline is constructed in that time, the permit becomes valid indefinitely.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladaily news.com.
