2023-07-07 Written Testimony from Robert Silber

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Dear Members of the Planning Commission and members of the Public, I am here today to apply for a special permit for my property at 13-2060 Lolia Place. I understand this is a request and a privilege not a right. I would like to explain why I have applied for this permit. For 30 years I have worked in the Fields of sustainable development and personal growth and development. I have lived, worked and taught courses at centers all over the world. I am a member of the Holistic Centers Network which is made up of centers that integrate a residential community of staff and volunteers with guests who come to learn at the center. My background includes an undergraduate degree in Political and Social Thought from the University of Virginia, a masters degree in permaculture, massage school, and many courses in a variety of personal growth modalities such as meditation, yoga, trauma healing, sensuality/body awareness, and others. For many years I worked for environmental non-profit organizations such as Sierra Club, Waterkeeper Alliance, Center for Science in the Public Interest and many others. I moved to Hawaii and Puna in 2004 and co-founded La'akea Permaculture Community. I have been involved in the intentional community movement for decades and am a member of the Hawaii Sustainable Community Association. Over the last 10 years, I have developed Lolia Place into a model off-grid neighborhood of 12 privately-held lots. One of the lots is the subject parcel we are discussing today, 13-2060 Lolia Place. In 2013, 1 had the opportunity to purchase a 25 acre parcel which was at that time an abandoned macadamia orchard which provided no food, native habitat or homes. In 2014, The original subdivision was approved by the County of Hawaii. Upon subdivision, I sold 5 of the 6 lots and I re-invested the profits of the sales of these lots into the development now known as Hawaii Eco Retreat. My aim in building the Lolia Place neighborhood was to create a beautiful residential community and an educational center located in the neighborhood. In 2016, 1 retained the services of consultant Michael Dresser who advised me on the construction of buildings suggested we build first and then get"As-Built Permits. This was a huge mistake. I should have applied for building permits and this special permit before 1 ever started construction. I also should have had more meetings with local neighbors who were bothered by the construction of the Lolia Place paved road back in 2014 and suspicious of a new intentional community in their neighborhood. V at7 uftbyl9T 'd✓RWd 5oJGv,l 'I.. , Y .C. ,� S L&✓ con U