Grandpa's $24,700 backyard coaster triggers zoning fight

Michael Chorba, a 60-year-old grandfather in Pennsylvania, has spent years turning his backyard into a private amusement area for his family. The property already has a go-kart track, a 105-foot waterslide and a vintage carousel. But his latest project, a small roller coaster, has led to a zoning dispute with local authorities.Chorba’s roller coaster, called The Tidal Wave, was built as part of his hobby of restoring vintage amusement rides for his grandchildren. According to Centre Daily Times, the coaster has a footprint of about 34 by 72 feet, while its tallest part, the control station, is about 18 feet high. Chorba said he spent about $20,500 on the coaster itself, another $2,500 on new vinyl decals and $1,700 on lighting.The project is now at the centre of a dispute in Mount Pleasant Township because local zoning rules do not specifically allow such a structure.