Planning commission recommends approval of permit for business with ties to outer space

There was a meeting of the Cook County Planning Commission March 12.

One item on the agenda that surfaced during the public comment period and led to discussion by the planning commission was a request from Cook County property owners Christine Day and Alisa Logan to continue running their business near Lake Superior and Highway 61.

According to its website, the business hosts retreats called “Gateway to the Galactic Community.” Listed on the county’s agenda as a “meditation center,” the retreats on the property include attempts to connect with visitors from outer space.

Kristin Sobanja lives near the property owned by Day and Logan and said it is not a good fit for such retreats.

Tim Nelson from the county’s land services department brought forward an interim-use permit (IUP) request from Day and Logan regarding the use of their property near Lake Superior.

Day and Logan purchased the property in 2013 and have been holding retreats there for at least several years.

Under the terms of the IUP, Day and Logan must meet certain requirements to continue running the business from the property. Those include select hours of seasonal operations, how many people can attend the retreats and obeying property lines with the neighbors. The planning commission supported the IUP on a 4-3 vote with these attached restrictions.

WTIP’s Joe Friedrichs attended the planning commission meeting and shares this report.

Joe Friedrichs March 12, 2020