Hall Commissioners welcome 'zip-line' retreat

GAINESVILLE - Hall County Commissioners Thursday night approved Planned Commercial Development rezoning for a 'zip line' recreation retreat near Lula off Old Cornelia Road where money could 'grow on trees'.

That's how Lake Lanier Convention and Visitors Bureau president Stacey Dickson described Canopy Eco Tours, a proposed 135-acre ecology and history attraction where visitors can literally zip through on suspended cables.

Dickson, in her endorsement, said Canopy Tours are popular with companies for business retreats and could help relocate business and industry to Hall County.

Developers Leah and Kirk Watkins plan to have Canopy Tours open next April.
Their facility, only the second of its kind in Georgia, would offer zip line tours, nature hikes and excursions, overnight camping, a pavilion, and 78 parking places with nine spaces for tour buses.

REZONINGS TABLED

Commissioners tabled a rezoning application for a metals recycler again, this time because only three of five board members were present to hear the request.
Attorney for World Recycling on Athens Highway, Ab Hayes, agreed to wait until October 24th, arguing that his client should get the full benefit of Heavy Industrial zoning.
Commissioners wanted the request limited to scrap metal processing and not other uses allowed by the zoning.

Rezoning applicant Jorge Renteria also agreed to wait until the full Commission meets October 24th to hear his request to locate a banquet hall on Athens Highway near Morgan Drive.
The Hall Planning Commission recommended a denial of Renteria's request at their September 8th meeting; Renteria said he wanted to provide a venue for bachelor and birthday parties among other gatherings; Commissioner Bill Evans made the motion to deny.
Evans cited problems with location, traffic, parking, operating hours and security as reasons for opposing the request.