HomeMy WebLinkAboutPL-SPP-2022-000016 X. Lancaster Testimony 01.02.23 From: Xanthe Lancaster
To: W PCtesti mono
Subject: "APPLICANT: ROBERT J. SILBER(PL-SPP-2022-000016)
Date: Monday,January 2, 2023 8:15:51 PM
Date: January 2, 2023
To: Hawai'i County Planning Department and Windward Planning Commission
From: Neighbors of Special Permit Application
PL-SPP-2022-000016 Re: Written Testimony for January 6th Planning Commission
Meeting
"APPLICANT: ROBERT J. SILBER (PL-SPP-2022-000016)
Application for a Special Permit to legitimize the operation of a holistic education
center on
approximately 8.134 acres of land in the State Land Use Agricultural District. The
subject property is located at 13-2060 Lolia Place, approximately 0.3 miles northwest
(mauka) of its intersection with Kalapana- Kapoho Beach Road, Pohoiki, Puna,
Hawaii, TMK: (3) 1-3-002:140."
To whom it may concern,
The access road to this location is adjacent to our home on Kalapana Kapoho Beach
road.
I am opposed to the request from Robert Silber for a special permit for the following
reasons.
We are made very aware of the vehicular traffic involved and alarmed at the added
quantity of vehicles that this project calls for. There is no control over the number of
cars, trucks and two-wheel vehicles deemed necessary going forward with his
request to augment traffic on what is already a busy road. As an event organizer in
the past, my main concern is the lack of awareness of emergency response. This
often gets overlooked until something serious and unexpected occurs. There may be
a need for a firetruck or an ambulance. Should the traffic become excessive,
evacuation can be dangerous. Most events/retreats/schools should have an
emergency exit plan. Having both an access and egress road should be mandatory.
Apparently, the plan for this Eco-retreat involves classes/training and celebrations
that include physical manipulation, whether it be yoga or otherwise. People can
overlook their personal capacities, which is how accidents can happen. When they
do, Robert Silber and Hawaii Eco Retreat have to be responsible for all incidents that
might occur, which I'm not sure they, or the county, has considered in depth. Online a
statement says that the Eco-Village or "Lolia Eco Lodge is a 10-acre magical
paradise. At Lolia we are cultivating consciousness, personal freedom, and
empowerment." My impression is that this doesn't include realities that are part of
understanding the meaning of "personal freedom and empowerment", when things go
sour.
Environmental factors of course come into play in emergencies. In the last two
months, we have had four trees come down on our property. One landed on our gate
which made our adjacent lot inaccessible. Naturally one can approach this with a
chainsaw. What can get complicated in any emergency with groups of people is to
establish the concept involving access and egress, as well as to have emergency
information as well as house rules in plain sight.
I'm not sure that this has been discussed at length, which makes it challenging to
agree with the request for a special use permit.
Emergency planning considerations:
The Hawaii Eco-Retreat emergency plan should include safety information, workplace
evacuation guidance, contact information for essential workers, and emergency
procedures to safeguard attendees, volunteers, equipment, and vital records. An
emergency plan should be shared with all residents onsite (and offsite) and is critical
in making the difference between an emergency and a disaster. Is the Eco-Retreat
emergency preparedness up to code? This is especially important when the numbers
of attendees grow in proportion to possible setbacks which can occur.
For businesses who do not have event coordination, "retreat planning" or similar
language incorporated into their business plan, the following should be in the
Description of Operations section of the required Certificate of Insurance: The
Certificate Holder is named as an additional insured. Robert Silber must be aware
that the Hawaii Eco-Retreat he is leasing to is up to code with operational regulations.
It would help if he contacted his neighbors.
Individuals who are also landowners should contact an agent and see if the insurance
company is willing to extend the homeowner's insurance coverage to any of these
planned two-week-a-month events.
Here are some main issues:
Does the applicant/property owner have appropriate insurance to lease to a
community of people?
Does Hawaii Eco Retreat have appropriate and sufficient insurance for the types of
activities that are planned?
This is not an attempt to dig for bad intentions, my testimony comes after honest
consideration toward an almost supernatural vision of an "Eco-Village". Robert Silber
as landowner leasing to HER has perhaps overlooked certain vital prerequisites to
support the demands of running a body awareness business. Responsibility involves
the ability to respond to any situation that might arise. Situations can happen.
With due respect toward all involved,
Xanthe Lancaster
Xonthe Lancasee,
xlancaster@gmail.com
(206) 823-4738
13-6558 Kalapana Kapoho Beach Road
Pahoa, Hawaii, 96778
THK(3) 1-3-002:095