MARSHALL – The Madison County Planning Commission approved a meditation retreat center at its April 17 continuing meeting.
In a series of meetings since March 19, the Planning Commission approved a special use permit application for the Saloua-Lahlow campground, which most closely matches the land use ordinance standards for the project.
The retreat center, called Dreamers Way, will be located on about 11 acres at 112 Munaya Way in Marshall, LaRue said.
Larue said it is targeting women between the ages of 25 and 55 working in corporate environments and will utilize seven geodesic domes. She said the facility will also offer workshops and programs, as well as amenities such as cold plunges, hammocks and saunas.
“My goal is to create an environment where they don’t have to go anywhere and can just be,” LaRue said. “There’s no point in going to a land they don’t know and not letting them experience it. I’m creating an entire experience within my land where they don’t have to go outside. “It doesn’t make sense for them to pay money and not follow the experience that I created for them.” ”
Many of the project’s neighbors, including Brian Roberts, Ira Teague, Brent Wise, Frank Sabatino and Scott Moore, filed to stand for quasi-judicial hearing.
Roberts, Moore, and Teague were admitted to candidacy at the first meeting.
Mr. Wise, an adjacent property owner, expressed a number of concerns about the project, including light pollution and noise pollution.
Wise said he bought the land more than 20 years ago, hired a grader and began work on building a home on the adjoining property.
But Wise said he had second thoughts when he heard about the plans for the retreat center.
“My retreat center will be supporting women who are looking to escape and find peace in nature, so my goal is to create a tranquil space that fulfills the mission of this sanctuary I’m creating. That’s true,” Lalu said.
“Lights should be directed downwards so as not to affect neighboring properties.”
Wise said she wants LaRue to carefully enforce the no-trespass policy on adjacent property lines where fences have been erected.
“If you could add that to the restrictions, it would give us peace of mind. That would be great,” Wise said, adding that he and other neighbors would also like to request a curfew for light use. added. Neighbors “could see the sky without light pollution even at night.”
LaRue added that safety could be an issue with a no-lights policy, but he plans to work with Wise to find a compromise.
Wise said a further frustration is that the parking lot listed on the site plan is close to her property.
Teague, a member of nearby Laurel Fork Church, said she is concerned about the increase in traffic and visitors using the church’s parking lot.
Parking was also a concern for Teague.
“Instead of parking on a flat lot, you’re parking on a steep slope that goes all the way to the top of the mountain,” Teague said.
Larue said they recently accommodated 21 cars.
“I care about the comfort of our visitors, so I want it to be convenient for visitors by allowing them to park their cars,” LaRue said. “So, there’s plenty of parking, I promise.”
Details: Meditation Retreat Center SuggestionProposed meditation retreat center for women’s companies to Marshall Corporation
Teague also raised the issue of environmental health standards, but board member Lee Wiles reminded attendees that the application of environmental health standards would come later in the process after the Planning Commission’s decision. Ta.
John Noor, the board’s attorney, also told the board it could impose a number of conditions when approving the permit.
“It is clear that this application can be conditioned on her securing all necessary environmental health permits for the use she is proposing,” Noor said. “But these are different regulatory schemes. One is around development approvals, which we are currently working on, and the other is around environmental health requirements.”
conditions
The board unanimously approved the special use permit with a number of conditions, including:
- Electrical panels, wells, and parking areas will both be screened with plant buffers, possibly trees.
- It has been confirmed that the parking lot is at least 60 meters away from Wise’s adjacent property.
- Light usage is directed downwards.
- Quiet hours from 10pm to 7am
- Install appropriate “No Trespassing” signs/communications at appropriate property lines.
- Environmental hygiene standard permits will be obtained.
According to a recent review conducted pursuant to Mr. LaRue’s application request, board member Clayton Honeycutt reviewed the site plan and determined that the shared fence installed by Mr. Wise was actually on Mr. Wise’s property. Noticed.
“I would like to reiterate my commitment to being a good neighbor to the community and being responsive to your concerns,” LaRue said. “Munaya is built on a vision of wellness and community, and I hope to one day be able to host you as well.
“I hope this will be a source of pride and a good addition to the community. I’m here to listen, and I believe that together we can create something useful.” Masu.”
