*PD BACKGROUND REPORT (PL-SPP-2022-016)

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L INTRODUCTION Robert Silber ("applicant") is requesting a Special Permit in order to legitimize the operation of an off -grid holistic education center on an existing permaculture fruit and vegetable farm in Kaueleau, Puna. The property is located at 13-2060 Lolia Place, approximately 900 feet northwest of its intersection with Kalapana-Kapoho Beach Road (Figure 1). The parcel is 8.134 acres and zoned Agriculture 1-acre (A-1 a). The applicant was issued a Notice of Violation and Order on December 5, 2019 pertaining to the unpermitted operation of the holistic education center and is seeking a Special Permit in order to remedy that violation and legitimize the center. If approved, the retreats/trainings hosted on the property would vary in length from 5 days to 3 weeks and would include overnight accommodations, meals and recreational activities. The applicant intends to hold approximately 1-2 retreatsltrainings per month for up to 24 participants. The hours of operation would vary but be limited to Tarn to 9pm daily. The proposed holistic education center would be run by approximately 6 volunteers. The center would include 6 single -room cabins, two lodge buildings, a commercial kitchen/dining hall, multi -purpose areas for retreats and trainings, washroom facilities, massage rooms and swimming pools (Figure 2). Access to the site would be from Lolia Place, a private roadway owned by Lolia Place Trust. The majority of the Special Permit use will be focused in the center of the property, inside of a 10-ft wide gravel drive (20-ft unobstructed width) to be constructed around the perimeter of the property for emergency access. Guests will be encouraged to partake in the agricultural activities taking place on the property and walk through the fruit orchards. Thus, the Special Permit request seeks to include the entirety of the 8.134-acre parcel. II. PROJECT DESCRIPTION 3A. Project Concept and Components The applicant respectfully requests a Special Permit to operate a holistic education center which will offer yoga, meditation, environmental sustainability, permaculture and personal improvement classes as well as host retreats and yoga teacher trainings on the property. The classes and retreats are intended be held alongside and in conjunction with the existing agricultural activities on the property, which currently contains approximately 5-acres of fruit trees and over 7,000 square feet of raised vegetable garden beds (Figure 3). The harvest from the farm is largely intended for consumption by guests on the property. Excess harvest is planning to be sold at farmcrs markets and fruit stands. ►!