- Stay Connected
Monroe citizen appeals cable park decision
By Polly Keary, Editor
Riders soaring above Lake Tye while holding a motor-driven cable, reaching speeds of up to 40 mph while riding a long board, would qualify as watercraft, which would not be an allowable activity on Lake Tye, a cable park opponent argued last week in an appeal filed with the city.
Photo by Jim Scolman
Recently, the city of Monroe determined that a cable park planned for Lake Tye would not significantly impact the environment, and thus an expensive environmental impact statement would not be required of the developers, moving the park forward in the permitting process.
Friday, Diane Elliot filed an appeal asking that the park be denied, arguing that the park is in violation of laws forbidding motorized sports on the lake.
“I want to be clear that I am not opposed to the sport but only the location and the fact I believe the majority on City Council are again violating the codes of Monroe,” she said in a statement.
She cited a passage in Monroe’s Shoreline Master Plan that reads, “No gas-powered motors of any size and no electric motors in excess of one and three-quarters horsepower, including model boats shall be allowed on Lake Tye, unless otherwise approved by special event permit.”
“The long term lease being proposed would not seem to qualify for a special event permit,” she said.
Although the cable park would not involve the use of boats, it still meets the definition of watercraft, she argued, saying that the electric engine running the tow cable will be 50 horsepower, and that riders will reach speeds of 35 to 40 mph.
“It should be clear that a 150 pound (and up) wakeboarder on a four-foot fiberglass board weighing about 15 pounds being towed by a cable powered by a 50 horsepower motor at a minimum of 20 mph on Lake Tye is a violation of the code which addresses the regulation of ‘watercraft’, and includes in the definitions; boat, float, raft or other watercraft,” she said.
She referred to YouTube videos of activity at other cable parks, saying that it is too rambunctious of an activity for Lake Tye.
“I am only trying to point out that adding this extreme sport to the other relatively passive uses on Lake Tye, especially adjacent to the swimming area, is a dangerous proposition,” she stated.
Among her concerns was the possibility that an out-of-control rider would injure a swimmer and that the spray from riders could drench boaters bypassing the park.
Elliot is acting alone on the appeal. She is also involved in another appeal against a Monroe development; she is a member and spokesperson for Friends of North Kelsey, which is working to force Walmart to more closely comply with city design guidelines for that area.
The appeal will go to a hearing examiner. Monroe is currently searching for a hearing examiner or group of hearing examiners to replace John Galt, whose contract was not renewed this year. Hearings typically are settled within a matter of weeks.
Josh hawkinson
October 11, 2012 at 5:26 pm
Diane Elliot is an uneducated and is having gross assumptions on what the cable parks is.
Wakeboarding is roughly done around 20mph on a boat. Give or take 2 mph for what riders preferences are. Not 35-40 mph
If a rider is “out of control” they have crashed and no longer Wakeboarding… Which would not danger swimmers in the swimming section. If I rider did ride towards the swimming section they only have to slow down a few mph before the water surface tension would no longer be adequate to support riders weight and would prevent further forward movement.
Technically s
Carrie Gendron
October 11, 2012 at 11:32 pm
A cable park is a non-motorized sport. The motor powering the tow cable is on land. The cable tows the “motor less” wakeboards, wake skates, kneeboards, or waterskis. It is not in violation of the code as Diane suggests. It is a large stretch to consider this a violation by any means. The only watercraft used (one in compliance with code) will be for safety purposes that will actually benefit those using the water at Lake Tye.
On the contrary, riding a wakeboard, or any of the above mentioned apparatus, is not “rambunctious”, but indeed rather peaceful and fun. It is contained, safe and not “extreme” unless you are indeed a PRO rider. However, even a PRO rider does not put others at risk using the cable, only themselves! The ages that can use the cable park range from approximately 4 years-85 or older! It appeals to all levels of the sport.
I am disappointed that Diane would search for ways to negate and prolong this business coming when it will be an amazing asset for our youth and community. It seems she is just searching to complicate the process that City Council has already approved. Lake Tye IS the right place for this cable park. Our elected representatives have already determined this.
The vast majority of people in the Monroe and surrounding area are in favor of this project and ready to see it come to fruition.
This appeal is a definite stretch that won’t hold any water, no pun intended!
Adam Millican
November 7, 2012 at 10:20 pm
Sounds to me like she is trying to say that is too much fun in a “no fun zone.” Her accusations are a little far fetched and she doesn’t just come out and say her real reason for being a party popper. She likes to walk around lake tye or be in the area and doesn’t want to see young people enjoying a fun and healthy sport!