HomeMy WebLinkAbout73- Applicant Presentation-Pomona Woods Hearing PPT 09_26_22POMONA WOODS RETREAT CENTER
Inspiring a lasting connection with nature,
one's self, and each other
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT HEARING – SEPTEMBER 26, 2022
Ann Burkhart, Owner : Paul Burkhart, Architect : Trent McKnight, G. Little Construction, Builder
Exhibit 73
Exhibit 73 Page 0913
Pomona Woods
Creating the environment for guests to do and be better together
21.5 acres mature forest of diverse species and age
Modern built-for-purpose, all-in-one retreat building
24 rooms, maximum 35 guests
Hosted retreats only, no individual bookings
Hosting small group retreats for the purpose
of education, enrichment and connection
Exhibit 73 Page 0914
Sustainability
at our core
Pursuing LEED Gold Certification
•Hired LEED Consultant with deep experience, John Harrison
•Some potential features contributing to Gold Score
•High efficiency building envelope, lighting, and appliances
•25% anticipated energy usage supplied by rooftop solar
panels, remainder high efficiency heat pump system
•Pier system instead of concrete foundation to minimize use
of concrete (and the associated high carbon footprint) and
lessen the impact on the soil and fungal mycelium
•Reclaimed wood siding
•Priority given to construction materials, finishings and
furniture with sustainable certifications (recycled, low
emitting, local sourced)
•Rain gardens for retreat building and manager residence
Exhibit 73 Page 0915
Pomona Woods Guests
Are gathering to:
Solve problems or create a shared vision by coming together in the same physical space
(corporate and not-for-profit team building and strategic planning off-sites)
Build community through shared interests (quilting, literature, nature, etc.)
Learn, practice a shared discipline, seek inspiration, heal and grow (yoga, art, various
wellness practices, writing, etc.)
Exhibit 73 Page 0916
Performance and Use Standard18.20.350 Small-scale recreation and tourist uses.
(1) Small-Scale Recreation and Tourist Uses rely on a rural location and setting and provide opportunities to diversify the economy of rural Jefferson County by utilizing the county’s abundant recreational opportunities and scenic and natural
amenities in an environmentally sensitive manner consistent with the rural character of the county.
(9) Rural recreational lodging or cabins for overnight rental and conference retreat facilities are subject to the following standards:
a) Minimum parcel size is 10 acres;
b) Fifteen built cabins or bedrooms for overnight lodging comprising up to 6,000 square feet of gross floor area are allowed for every 10
acres of parcel size, up to a maximum of 30 rooms or cabins
comprising no more than 12,000 square feet of total building area over the entire site, excluding a caretaker’s or manager’s residence;
c) Lodging operators may not allow any person to occupy overnight lodging on the premises for more than three months in any year;
d) New residential development shall not be permitted. New
residential development includes the subdivision or sale of land for
year-round or second-home residential housing that is owner-occupied or rented;
e) An on-site caretaker or manager’s residence is allowed;
Pomona Woods
a) 21.5 acres
b) Conforming to 12,000 square foot retreat building plus caretaker/manager residence
c) Intended use – short-term group retreats for teambuilding, strategic planning, workshops, or family gathering
d) No sub-division or residential development
e) Owner will live in small house on-site.
Pomona Woods conforms to the Jefferson County 2018
Comprehensive Plan under Goal LU-G-26: Foster
economic development that relies on a rural location
and setting, and that is small scaled recreational or
tourist-related.
Exhibit 73 Page 0917
Site Plan
Exhibit 73 Page 0918
Contributions to the Community
●Pomona Woods will pursue B-Corp Certification.
●Current property taxes on for the two parcels are $2,502.23/year. We anticipate this will increase to
$38,000-$40,000 per year for Jefferson County after the structures are built.
●Based on revenue projections, by year five Pomona Woods will generate an additional $100,000+
annually in Sales and Use and Lodging Tax for Jefferson County. This does not include taxes from
money guests spend off site.
●By year five, Pomona Woods will hire 7 local people, adding to the community employment base.
●We will focus on supporting local businesses for goods and services, such as local farmers, producers,
artisans, maintenance, repair services etc. - further strengthening the local economy.
●We will support local arts and culture by providing a space for local artists, musicians, poets, writers,
storytellers to hold workshops for people from around the Sound and world. In addition, we will
showcase local artists with revolving exhibitions in the public areas.
●Part of our vision is to connect guests with the local community through farm visits and dinner
lectures from craftspeople, environmentalists, storytellers, artists and local tribal members.
●We will collaborate with other local businesses, not-for-profits and community members around
relevant local issues like housing and environmental protection and restoration.
Exhibit 73 Page 0919
Ann Burkhart
with Luna
Born and raised in Puget Sound area – 4 generations in WA
30 years as a leader in corporate and not-for-profit
organizations
Over 20 years working on Environment, Social and Governance
(ESG) issues
Sound Water Steward and Volunteer
6 years on EarthCorps board and many more before and after as
a volunteer restoring parks and green spaces
2 years on Global Visionaries board
Graduate of UW Jackson School of International Studies (BA)
and NYU Stern School of Business (MBA)
Member Chamber of Jefferson County – volunteer on
Sustainable Tourism Task Force
Civic-minded leader and entrepreneur
Exhibit 73 Page 0920