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Planning board approves 'Social Sauna' pop-up wellness CUP after neighbors object
Summary
The Washington County Planning Board approved a conditional-use permit allowing a short-term rental property to host weekly reservation-based sauna pop-ups, after nearby residents voiced concerns about noise, septic capacity and safety.
The Washington County Planning Board on June 9 approved a conditional-use permit (CUP) for a short-term rental operation to host weekly, reservation-based sauna events, despite objections from several nearby residents.
Planning staffs report described the property as a three-bedroom, three-bath house and art studio set up for short-term rental use. The applicant, Ali Moracek, sought approval to host 2-to-3 reservation-based sauna sessions per week (about 90 to 120 minutes each) with up to 10 guests at a time, and to construct an electric wood-fired outdoor sauna and shower area. Staff said utilities (septic, water, electric) were already in place and that roughly 0.78 acres of the 2.5-acre cleared site would be used for the CUP project. The staff report recorded three written comments opposing the proposal prior to the hearing.
Multiple neighbors spoke at the hearing, citing concerns about increased traffic and short sight distances on the property's access road, septic-system capacity for events and showers, fire risk from an outdoor wood-fired sauna or fire pit, impacts on property values, and the intrusion of an effectively commercial use into a quiet residential area. Neighbors said they had not been notified in some cases and that the property is visible from nearby yards during some seasons.
Moracek told the board she had completed a sauna business accelerator course and intended to trial pop-up community sauna events once weekly as a wellness offering; she also said she had discussed the proposal with some neighbors and invited them to visit the site. She asked the board to approve operating hours later amended by motion to 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily for permitted events.
After questions of staff and the applicant, a board member moved to approve the CUP, specifically accommodating the applicant's requested hours (3 p.m. to 9 p.m.). The motion carried by voice vote; the record does not show a roll-call tally.
Planning staff noted conditions in the staff report addressing ADA parking, septic and health-department requirements, and public-safety issues; the applicant and staff said the jurisdictional fire department had no objections.
