Neighbors, health department oppose addition to wellness retreat

Bigfork Land Use Advisory Committee heard a request from Samaa Retreat for a conditional use permit to add a retreat center building on their property on Aero Lane during their Thursday, Feb. 27 meeting.  

Samaa Retreat sits on a 10-acre parcel zoned SAG-10 suburban agricultural and currently houses a bed and breakfast and single-family residence. The proposed addition would entail an auxiliary yoga and meditation building for guests.  

The Flathead City-County Health Department objected to the CUP, as the agency noted Samaa Retreat was in violation of its current CUP allowing a single-family residence to be converted to a four-unit B&B.  

“The permitted septic system found on the property is for a five-bedroom single family dwelling. Waste-water flows for residences are based on the assumption of a maximum occupancy that can be advertised as limited to 10 people. The facility is in violation of the septic permit as it is currently advertising the maximum capacity of the facility as 16 people,” the health department stated in agency comments.  

Six neighbors on Aero Lane spoke in opposition to the change as well. Concerns included increased traffic and noise, well water usage dropping the water table, and future development if the property was ever sold.  

“Public use in our residential area is invasive,” neighbor Bonnie Hoffman said.  

Jay McMillan, a representative for Samaa Retreat, informed the committee that the company did not realize it was in violation of its current CUP until they began preparing for the new request. The first CUP was granted in 1999. Two of the bedrooms listed on the Samaa Retreat website do not have closets and therefore were not considered bedrooms, McMillan stated, but would be removed as rentals to comply.  

The proposed structure would have no bathrooms or plumbing and serve existing customers.  

“Our concept is to maintain serenity and not to change the character of the property,” applicant Daniel Cotman said.  

BLUAC suggested the addition of conditions to the application, including a 20-person cap on site users and that the CUP not be transferred to a new owner in event of a property sale.  

Flathead County Board of Adjustment saw the application March 4 after press time.