2024-04-02 PL-CCI-2024-000003 Bill 121 Nick Benoit Testimony

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From: Nick Benoit To: WPCtestimonv Subject: Bill 121 Testimony Date: Tuesday,April 2,2024 4:25:40 PM Dear Windward Planning Commission, My name is Nick Benoit, and as a property manager at Elite Pacific Vacation Rentals, we oversee the management of hundreds of properties, both long-term and short-term rentals. I write to you not just as a manager but as a staunch advocate for the rights and concerns of homeowners across our beautiful island. Today, I write this testimony to emphasize the critical need for the recommendation of Planning Department 91 to be fully integrated into Bill 121 specifically, the amendment to redefine 'short-term'rentals as those less than 30 days. This adjustment is not merely administrative; it's a cornerstone for fair and equitable treatment of homeowners who have chosen to rent their properties on a month-long or longer basis. Many of these homeowners have invested their lives into these properties, relying on them for income,planning for their future, and contributing to our local economy. The current ambiguity surrounding the definition of'short-term'puts them in a precarious position, threatening their livelihoods and the very fabric of our residential rental market. Without this amendment, a significant number of properties would fall into a gray area, potentially requiring non-conforming use permitsa bureaucratic nightmare that would not only overwhelm our administrative systems but also unjustly penalize conscientious homeowners. We must recognize the distinction between transient vacation rentals and month- long leases that offer stability, community integration, and a commitment to the cultural and economic wellbeing of our island. I urge the commission to consider the broader implications of this bill on our community and the homeowners we proudly represent. To impose such stringent restrictions without clear, logical definitions would be a disservice to the very individuals who embody the spirit of hospitality and aloha that our islands are known for. We ask for your support in amending Bill 121 to protect homeowner rights, ensure clarity in our rental market, and uphold the integrity of our community. Let us stand together for the rights of homeowners and the future of our island's rental landscape. With deepest respect and urgency, photo photo 11% 0 Nick Benoit RS-74367 Property Manager Gather Vacations, Inc (808) 334-0548 1 nick.benoitC&,,elitepacific.com gathervacations.com L®J