2024-04-02 PL-CCI-2024-000003 Bill 121 Linda Sankovich Testimony

Home

From: Linda Sankovich To: WPCtestimonv Subject: Your Consideration of Draft Bill 121 Date: Tuesday,April 2,2024 11:15:40 AM Attachments: Windward Planning Commission Written Testimonv.docx April 2, 2024 Chairman Dennis Lin Windward Planning Commission, County of Hawai'i 25 Aupuni St., Unit 1502 Hilo, HI 96720 Dear Chairman Lin, I am writing to express my on-going and deep concerns regarding the current provisions of Bill 121, which I believe could have unintended negative impacts on our local communities and economy. As a resident of Hawai'i County, I am particularly worried about the enforceability, inequity, and the potential transformation of neighborhoods that this bill might bring about. Firstly, I have concerns about the enforceability of Bill 121. The Planning Department staff are already stretched thin, and adding the responsibility of enforcing these new regulations could lead to inefficiencies and neglect of other critical duties. This could inadvertently harm our community by diverting essential resources away from other important projects. Bill 121, as currently written, introduces a level of inequity among property owners. By imposing different rules for those who live on-site and those who do not, the County would discourage investment in our community and lead to a decrease in the quality and availability of hosted housing for visitors which are vital for our tourism-driven economy. The County's own proposed Master Plan for Puna, where I live, acknowledges the importance of and need for agricultural tourism. As one example, small scale farms that rely on visitors who spend more than a few hours could face economic ruin if Bill 121 passes as it is written. I'm confident no one wants farmers and AG workers to struggle more than they already do. Without proper data to understand the extent of this issue and impact of short-term rentals, it is premature to implement such sweeping regulations. Therefore, I urge the Planning Commission to recommend conducting an affordable housing study to fully understand the impact of short-term rentals on our housing and land use before making any irreversible decisions. I believe that by addressing these concerns, we can find a balanced approach that respects the rights of property owners while protecting the interests of our communities. Please share my concerns with your full Commission and the Hawaii Council body if you like. Thank you.