2018-03-01 Hearing Transcript - Jeffrey Primack

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accommodations for up to 12 guests and the development of a certified kitchen on an approximately 15 -acre portion of a larger 98 -acre parcel of land. The Applicant is proposing to offer up to six retreats and workshops each year by reservation only. Each retreat will last for approximately seven to ten days and be taught by Mr. Primack and two to three assistants. The length of the retreats would be determined by the level of skill of the participants. First-time Qigong retreat participants would likely be there three to four days, and return guests would have longer stays for more intense instruction. Retreats will consist of Qigong healing practice, meals and food -based healing, river hiking, artwork, and fellowship. Retreat activities are proposed to take place between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. The property is improved with a permitted 1,041 -square foot, two-story, one -bedroom yurt structure. A full-time caretaker lives in this dwelling year round, and will share the structure with the Applicant and his assistants during retreats. Adjacent to the dwelling is a detached garage with an as -built photovoltaic solar system that will supply electricity to the dwelling and has the capacity to supply the rest of the proposed development. The garage also has attached shower stall facilities in the rear of the structure. There are four existing 12- by 16 -foot ag storage structures that are built on skids. The Applicant proposes to relocate the structures to a permanent location and permit them as bungalows to be divided into two rooms furnished with a double bed and end table, with no plumbing, for a total of eight additional bedrooms. The Applicant is proposing to permit several unpermitted open shed structures that currently house toilets for guests to use as well as building additional bathing and bathroom facilities for guests. The Applicant is proposing the construction of a detached 960 -square foot certified kitchen that will include a bathroom, lanai, and food -grade, sealed water tank with County water to be delivered by truck to provide meals, snacks, and smoothies to guests. The Applicant is proposing the use of a removable 1,200 -square foot, 40 by 30 open tent structure for cover during retreat activities. This tent will be erected for the duration of the retreat, and then removed and stored until the next retreat. The Applicant is proposing to install an additional 10,000 -gallon catchment with a monument for fire -fighting purposes and additional septic systems as required by the State Department of Health. The Kama`e`e and Wa`awa`a Streams cross the property, and the Applicant is proposing river hikes as part of the retreat operation. The river hikes will be concentrated within the 15 -acre permit area. The Applicant is requesting this because he's been a student of Qigong since 1996 and has been teach Qigong and food -based healing technique workshops and seminars in Florida and around the world. The Applicant purchased the subject property in 2008 as a personal retreat for time off from a busy schedule and much needed relaxation. Soon after his house was built, he extended invitations to his close inner circle of friends, associates, and a few of the regular attendees and practitioners of Qigong from events around the mainland. EXHIBIT A 2