Getaway project draws criticism
Residents are worried about fire
Wildfire risk and traffic safety were among numerous objections to a proposed Getaway House Inc. project proposed for 90 acres of rangeland along the Old Toll Road in Hopland.
The Hopland Municipal Advisory Council held its regular meeting by Zoom on Wednesday evening and had representatives of the project on hand to give a presentation and take questions.
The Getaway concept originated in 2015 and consists of placing tiny cabins on wheels in wooded areas, usually close to urban areas, where city folk can get
away into nature. The cabins are placed at a distance from each other for privacy and have small kitchens and bathrooms. This project envisions 45 cabins. The company has what they call “outposts” serving numerous cities, including Boston, New York City, Washington DC, Atlanta, Portland, Pittsburgh and Cleveland.
Stephen Maulden, the East Coast company ’s real estate and construction manager, said they do not see these projects as campgrounds although they are sometimes zoned that way. This project will need a major use permit to switch the zoning from its current rangeland designation, and it will entail putting in wells and sewer systems. There may be some trees that will need to come down but Maulden said the whole point is to preserve the natural oak woodland nature of the property formerly owned by the Brutocao family.
What had most people at the meeting concerned was the idea that each cabin will have its own outdoor fire circle. Speaker after speaker cited wildland fire danger as the biggest problem with the project, even though Maulden said they would obey all fire regulations and shut down the fire circles during burn ban season.
Traffic along the two lane Highway 175 to the narrow, rural Old Toll Road was also raised many times. If the company’s estimate of 85 percent occupancy with average stays of 1.5 nights is correct, thousands of people will be driving to the site and it will add something like 60 cars a day, seven days a week to the road.
The cabins themselves are between 140 - 200 square feet and are for two or four people. There is no accommodation for personal recreational vehicles or other camping setups, Maulden said. The initial cabin rates are likely to be from $149 to $159 per night, Maulden explained, but those rates will likely go to $179-$199 per night after the initial promotional period, and weekends and holidays will be more expensive.
Neighbors of the proper t y were e specia l ly alarmed not only about fire and the danger of dozens of people all trying to evacuate down their rural road in case of fire. They were also concerned about the draw down of their water supply by the building of wells for the project.
Only one person spoke up in favor of the project although she shared concerns.
“Everything gets approved for wine and weed,” said Kathy Mcadams. “I’m tired of only letting wine and weed here. Maybe there’s a way to work with this company to have something different.”
The company has a CEQA document circulating in the county and there will be a hearing before the county Planning Commission in January. The company is also planning a virtual town hall meeting on the project Nov. 30. Notice of that meeting is available at the HMAC Facebook page and also at the Hopland post office. You can see some typical Getaway projects at getaway.house.