CARTER COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) — Public comment was emotional during a Carter County Planning Committee meeting Tuesday regarding a proposed glamping retreat in the Poga community spearheaded by Marisol and Bastian Yotta.

The Yottas relocated to Carter County from California and are trying to open Hidden Harmony, which they describe as a spiritual retreat in Poga for couples. The retreat would be made up of 11 domes on the property for guests to stay in.

The planning commission rejected the Yottas’ initial request for construction during Tuesday’s meeting, citing a need for more thoroughly developed site plans as the land is made up of steep and shallow soil. The planning committee unanimously voted to disapprove the layout for Hidden Harmony that the Yottas provided.

Below, News Channel 11 compiled excerpts from the Yottas’ response to the committee’s questions, along with portions of the public comment part of the meeting.

Bastian & Marisol Yotta

Bastian Yotta took the lead in addressing the audience, which was comprised of Carter County residents. He told the crowd that claims across social media were false and that citizens were welcome to reach out to him directly with any questions or points of clarity they had.

“What you hear on social media is 99% a lie,” he said.

“We came here in peace, we fell in love with this area. The mountains are beautiful. And when we were here on our road trip, the people we met were so nice, and we said, ‘yes, we want to live here.’ And what happened on social media, I think it got out of hand.”

“If I named anyone crazy hillbilly, I apologize,” Bastian added. “It was an ironic answer to a stupid question, when somebody said ‘do you build a brothel there?'”

Nearing the end of Bastian’s time to speak, the committee had to warn him of using profanity and told him he’d be removed if he did not stop using explicit language. Bastian apologized and ended his address with a question:

“What would have Jesus done? The same hate that we received? The same hate? Making a protest? Or would he welcomed us? I don’t know, that’s a question to you guys.”

Public Commenter #1

Mike Heaton was the first citizen to comment against the Hidden Harmony project during Tuesday’s meeting. He referenced recent posts Bastian made on social media, which Heaton said were threats.

“I’ve seen you [Bastian] personally make threats, I did, I saw that,” Heaton said.

“What Jesus would not do is use sex to make money. He just wouldn’t do it, I’ll tell you that right now.”

Heaton told the committee he’s not sure if members “could say no on moral values”, but he feels the committee could deny the project based on the single-lane, rural road the planned project is on: Heaton Branch Road.

“You cannot let that go in there, I don’t care what kind of business it is,” Heaton said.

“It’s a cliff on one side and straight down to the river on the other. I don’t know how many millions it would take to make a two-lane road, but you’re not gonna do that. But you’re gonna have to, if you OK stuff like that.”

The committee then told Heaton it’s a permitting concern with the Carter County road superintendent regarding whether the road could be expanded.

Public Commenter #2

James Byrd discussed his thoughts on the project as it relates to a Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) study regarding percolation tests, a testing operation necessary for sewer systems being installed into soil. He cited recent changes from Hurricane Helene, where floodwaters altered landscapes and soil stability, and added that he thinks more testing should be done on the site aside from the standard percolation test.

Byrd then brought up a woman he said he knows in the audience, initially claiming she booked a stay at Hidden Harmony for Mother’s Day weekend. He said he took issue with a credit card/payment portal being active on Hidden Harmony’s website while construction on the site hasn’t even begun.

The Yottas spoke up and said that they hadn’t received any bookings in their system, and that nobody had purchased a stay. Byrd then clarified that the woman had second thoughts when she was prompted to enter payment information and did not actually go through with the booking, but he still had concerns about a payment portal being active for online bookings.

“I’m not saying there’s anything illegal going on, but when you don’t have the facilities in place, why is there even a portal to book that location?” Byrd said.

Public Commenter #3

Kathy Blair used her public comment time to also discuss Heaton Branch Road and what she described as its already treacherous traversability.

Blair explained the typical experience of encountering oncoming traffic on Heaton Branch Road, which is narrow and single-lane.

“In such circumstances, one driver often must back up long distances, even backing around a blind corner, to locate one of the few wide spots.”

“There will be accidents, likely deadly ones, and that will be on you,” she said to the committee. “Public safety is your responsibility. Your constituents are counting on you.”

Public Commenter #4

John Bennett spoke to his morals and religious values, which he says align with the Carter County community’s values.

“His [Bastian’s] definition of spirituality is California spirituality, it’s not King James Version Bible spirituality,” he said during his portion of public comment.

“I get my spirituality from God, not some camp that’s supposed to help adults make up their mind what they want to do.”

Bennett referenced the social media presence the Yottas have and the content they post.

“We’re in the Bible Belt, we’re not in the California sex belt.”

Public Commenter #5

Todd Brandenburg was the last citizen to comment on the Yottas’ project. He said he’s the neighbor to the project site, and he agreed with the online opposition to the project.

“There is nothing worse in life than being accused of something you don’t do,” he said. “There’s nothing worse in life than being called a liar. If there’s any misrepresentation of truth, it’s a brutal thing. Simple as that.”

Brandenburg stated he and his wife, who live in the residence neighboring the site, believe “that people should have the ability to do what they want to do on their own land … we believe what goes on in the privacy of your own home is private.”

“But, the proposal is for a business, and some business you wouldn’t want to live next door, let alone your community.”

He said he supports the opposing presence online and hopes permits will not be granted for Hidden Harmony’s proposed use that it stated on its website.

“This business, we feel, would adversely affect the residents of Heaton Branch Road and the Elk Mills/Poga community,” Brandenburg said.