2017-11-02 Hearing Transcript - Celestial Sanctum 501(C)3 SPP 17-192

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WINDWARD PLANNING COMMISSION COUNTY OF HAWAII HEARING TRANSCRIPT NOVEMBER 2, 2017 A regularly advertised hearing on the application of CELESTIAL SANCTUM 501(C)3 (SPP 17-192) was called to order at 9:02 a.m. in the County of Hawaii Aupuni Center Conference Room, 101 Pauahi Street, Hilo, Hawaii with Chairman Gregory Henkel presiding. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Joe Clarkson, Donn Dela Cruz, Gregory Henkel, Donald Ikeda, and Myles Miyasato. ABSENT & EXCUSED: Thomas Raffipiy. ALSO PRESENT: Michael Yee (Planning Director), Malia Ho Hall (Deputy Corporation Counsel for the Windward Planning Commission), Jeff Darrow (Planning Program Manager), Maija Jackson (Planner), Christian Kay (Planner), Shancy Watanabe (Planner), and Sarah Hata-Finley (Commission Secretary). And 7 members from the public in attendance. APPLICANT: CELESTIAL SANCTUM 501(C)3 (SPP 17-000192) Request for a Special Permit to allow the development of a lodge and wellness retreat center, including healing workshops, wellness classes, yoga classes, a certified kitchen, and overnight accommodations for up to 21 guests on an approximately 3.926 -acre portion of a larger 25 -acre parcel of land situated within the State Land Use Agricultural District. The subject property is located at 18-4271 Luna Ikena Road, approximately 1.3 miles west (mauka) of its intersection with Volcano Road (Highway 11), Por. of Ola`a, Puna, Hawaii, TMK: 1-8-010: Por. 105. HENKEL: And with that, the first agenda item today is the SPP 17-192, and it looks like Christian will be doing the presentation. KAY: Yes, thank you, Mr. Chair, and good morning. Happy November to you all. If we can turn your attention to the screen in the back. As you said, this is a Special Permit application for Celestial Sanctum. The subject parcel is located in the Puna District of Hawaii Island; more specifically, in the Glenwood area. As you see here, the, for reference we've got Volcano Highway running generally north -south through the slide. And, we've got Volcano Village here and Glenwood to the right. The subject parcel is filled in, in red here. The Applicant is requesting a Special Permit to allow the development of a lodge and wellness retreat center, including healing workshops, wellness classes, yoga classes, a certified kitchen, and overnight accommodations for up to 21 guests on an approximately 3.926 -acre portion of a larger 25 -acre parcel of land. The Applicant plans to convert an existing five -bedroom, five -full EXHIBIT A