May 2017 Update
The Mount Washington Commission met on April 28, 2017 and several news outlets recently published information related to the Cog Railway. From the Berlin Daily Sun article, Presby family buys the Mt. Washington Cog Railway from partners:
Wayne explained that a number of improvements are already on the docket as well as a plan to build a seasonal high-elevational hotel over the Cog tracks in Sargent's Purchase. "I've only recently received the permit application form from the Coos County Planning Board for the Unincorporated Places," he said. "It's the first formal application it has ever devised for zone PD-6. As far as I know, the Appalachian Mountain Club has never been required to apply to the board when it has made changes at its Lakes of the Clouds hut."
While a formal application hasn't been submitted, this confirms that the Cog Railway is going forward with the hotel application. Some notes and commentary:
Wayne Presby mentions the lack of a permit application for the AMC's high elevation hut.
This is an incorrect assumption because the Lakes of the Clouds hut is located on the White Mountain National Forest and is subject to USFS regulations and permits. The Cog Railway's proposed hotel is located on private land under the jurisdiction of Coos County.
Protected Districts - PD6
PD6 refers to a section of the Zoning Ordinances Coos County Unincorporated Places document. PD6 covers areas of "Steep Slopes & High Elevations". This section of the zoning ordinances is clearly meant to protect areas such as the high elevation alpine zone on Mount Washington.