Planning board approves short‑term rental sauna pop‑up despite neighbor objections on septic, traffic and smoke

The Washington County Planning Board approved a conditional use permit for a short‑term rental that will host weekly "sauna pop‑up" wellness events on a rural property near Fayetteville.

Applicant Ali Moracek told the board the property is already configured as a three‑bed, three‑bath short‑term rental and that she plans to host reservation‑based, quiet sauna sessions once a week (she later requested the board approve hours of operation from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.). The proposed new features include an electrically heated wood‑fired outdoor sauna and shower (roughly 26 by 28 feet), privacy fencing, compacted gravel parking and limited grading; the CUP application estimated parking for 10 guests split across three areas of the site. The applicant said utilities — septic, water and electric — are already in place.

Several neighbors spoke in opposition, citing proximity to houses (one neighbor said the proposed sauna would be about 200 feet from a living room and deck), concerns about the septic system handling additional visitors and showers, smoke from a wood‑fired sauna and safety/sight‑distance issues where the driveway meets a rural road with 45–60 mph traffic. One neighbor said sight lines are roughly 60–100 feet in places and said that is inadequate for exiting vehicles. Neighbors also objected to potential noise and light impacts and said they had not received direct advance notice of the proposal from the applicant.

In reply, the applicant said the septic system had been inspected and was approved; she told the board she had spoken with at least four neighbors who had no objection, had offered to host neighbors at the sauna once built, and offered to limit attendance. Planning staff noted three written comments opposing the project had been submitted; staff recommended conditions addressing hours, parking, lighting, and nuisance controls. The fire district reported no objection for emergency access.

A board member moved to approve the CUP with conditions; the motion passed by voice vote. Conditions reflected the staff report and included limits on hours of operation, requirements for parking layout and ADA stalls already listed, and provisions about nuisance control. The record shows divergent neighbor statements on septic capacity; planning staff required the applicant to meet health‑department and county standards before any expanded use occurs.

Because the CUP is limited to the specific use described, it does not rezone the property. The board’s approval was conditioned on compliance with health‑department approvals, and the applicant must provide final documentation before expanded commercial use begins.