HELEN — An Alpine coaster proposed for property on South Main Street next to Helen City Hall received a rezoning with conditional use approval Tuesday.
After hearing from the public for more than an hour, the Helen City Commission granted the rezoning from R-2 residential to C-3 (Highway Commercial) with conditional use, and a few conditions, for applicant Terry Sims for the 10.16-acre parcel.
Several neighboring property owners from the Alpenrosen area behind and above the proposed attraction shared their emotional opposition to having the coaster in their neighborhood.
All those who spoke against said they are not opposed to an Alpine coaster, but rather to where it is being proposed.
"I just don't understand how people can sit there and destroy somebody's home just because of a damn roller coaster," said resident Donnie Lee, whose property is about 100 feet from the high point of the proposed single-car coaster attraction.
Deborah Sanford, who said she has lived in Helen for almost 15 years, tearfully expressed her opposition to the proposed coaster.
"I see people coming here maybe one time to do this," Sanford said. "It's not enough to keep bringing the people back here. One coaster is not enough."
Sanford said the proposed Alpine coaster will cause her to move from the home she loves.
"I'm sorry but I am just devastated and absolutely sick over this, and I have a home for sale — and it's going to be hard to leave this," Sanford said tearfully.
Alpenrosen resident Kris Thompson, whose home is located on the mountain above the proposed attraction, said she has lived in the city for 20 years and is retired from Fort Benning. She worried that deer and bears will be run from the city if the coaster is constructed.
"I got so upset I called PETA to try to make a case for wild animals," Thompson said.
"We're not Gatlinburg, we're not Sevierville where there are all kinds of amusement parks," Thompson said.
Thompson insisted her enjoyment of her home will be impacted by children screaming as they ride the Alpine coaster.
Sims has said the Alpine coaster will consist of 30 single cars, each with individual brakes so the rider can decide when and if to slow their ride.
2017 Mayor Helen Wilkins pointed out that Helen is landlocked and has limited ability to expand.
"This town is two and one-half square miles, approximately, and we're surrounded by state forests" Wilkins said. "We can't grow any more than what we have left."
Carl Dann, chairman of the White County Chamber of Commerce, thanked Helen officials for their support of helping with the branding as "Georgia's outdoor adventure destination".
Dann said the effort is among those helping make White County, Helen and this part of the state more relevant to tourism dollars.
"When somebody goes and takes their family on vacation, that helps us all — even if they don't come to my store, or come to your store or your amusement park," Dann said. "It helps all of us. That is the rising tide that raises all of our ships, and the more people we get in, the more infrastructure we can build for the county, for the citizens. The more we can accomplish together, the better we are — from everyone in this room and everyone in this county, from the youngest to the oldest."
Dann had nothing but praise for Sims and his wife, noting their recognition as Entrepreneurs of the Year for the White County Chamber of Commerce in 2016, a recognition by the nearly 500 member businesses
"There's no way I could represent what they've already done for White County and what they give back to the county," Dann said. "They're extremely generous in giving back. They always do a topnotch job. If there's anything that we can hang our hat on as a chamber, it's that the Simses are members and are important members of our chamber and will only do the best job possible."
Jerry Brown, executive director of the Alpine Helen-White County Convention and Visitors Bureau, also spoke about the proposed coaster. While noting he understands that with progress comes "bumps in the road", he said he believed the proposed coaster is the right fit for the parcel.
"My job is to market Helen and White County for tourism," Brown said. "It would be so much easier to market this town as we continue to get things that families would enjoy, and also that will not hurt our natural resources as some other businesses could. We are about natural resources, we are about outdoor recreation. That is our brand. I think this is a perfect situation where it's going to be put aesthetically. I couldn't think of another business that could be put there that I think would help Helen any more than what this would."
Cheryl Smith, tourism project manager for the Georgia Department of Economic Development covering the 17 counties of Northeast Georgia, spoke in favor of the proposed coaster, speaking of her experience on a similar coaster she rode in Poland years ago.
"It really added to the area that it was in," Smith said. "It was not a deterrent, it was very well done, and I saw a lot of families. They enjoyed it. It was not very noisy, and I take back from that trip the riding of the Alpine coaster 17 years ago, so I just think it will be a great addition to the community and I support the project."
White County Chamber of Commerce President Cindy Bailey also spoke in favor of the proposed coaster, as did the owner and operators of Bavarian Mountain Miniature Golf, Jolly's Toys and several nearby and city residents.
Of the 10.16-acre total site, 3.46 acres would be developed for public use, including 0.50 acres for pavement and sidewalks, 0.10 acres for buildings (2,724 square feet), and 2.76 acres of natural woods, according to a site plan on file at Helen City Hall. That leaves 6.70 acres of undisturbed woods on the property.
2017 Mayor Pro Tem Jeff Ash made the motion to approve the rezoning and conditional use with the following conditions: downcast lighting, tree planting close to the property line as a buffer to shield homes above and around the coaster, and operational hours from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Commissioner Cinnamon Spurlock seconded, and the motion passed.
Following the meeting, Brown spoke about how he believes the proposed coaster will impact tourism in the region.
"I think it's definitely going to impact it to the positive," Brown said. "I think within the first year, once the word gets out that there's an Alpine coaster in North Georgia, there will be quite a few folks flocking to the area to see what that is for one, and to enjoy it, and to give them another reason to come back up to the region. We're very excited about the approval today."
Also following the meeting, Wilkins discussed the delicate balance she and other commissioners felt in reaching a decision.
"I think it went real well," Wilkins said. "I think the people listened to all sides of this, and I do think that the final say was that it is probably the best fit for this property. I think it's something that we need. I know my grandchildren will be delighted. We need more things for families and children. This ride is quiet; I have ridden it myself up in Pigeon Forge. It is unobtrusive. It meanders through the trees, and I think that it's just not going to be a problem."
The Alpine coaster will head back to the Helen Planning, Development and Review Board to address a separate variance request in the coming weeks.
