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April 15, 2024 <br /> Leeward Planning Commission <br /> Re: Bill 121 <br /> Aloha, Leeward Planning Commission Members. <br /> Thank you for the opportunity to submit opinions regarding this proposed bill. My name is Joy Dillon <br /> and I am submitting testimony as a private citizen in opposition to Bill 121. There are many reasons to <br /> oppose this legislation but I will focus on a few: <br /> 1. Overly Complicated. By Heather Kimball's own admission this bill is "complicated."This was <br /> repeated by members of the Windward Planning Commission as well as many testifiers. She also <br /> said she likes to do hard things. Is this a reason to propose this overly complicated and unwanted <br /> legislation? I think not. If the County Council wants to do hard things they should concentrate on <br /> things like solving our wastewater problem, changing outdated zoning codes and land use <br /> regulations which could actually contribute to allowing more housing. <br /> 2. No Economic Impact Study has been done. The couple of studies cited by Heather Kimball, DBEDT <br /> in particular,focused on the state as whole and the Appleseed report she cites was done in 2018 <br /> and references data from out of state. DBEDT has a broad focus on industry development, <br /> economic diversification, business and tourism and did not specifically study the impact of short <br /> term rentals on long term housing availability. We have economic impact studies after studies on <br /> everything here but there has not been a single one regarding this specific issue. <br /> 3. Huge public opposition. In the 2 public meetings that have been held regarding this bill there was a <br /> huge outpouring of opposition from the public. Hundreds testified against this bill and only a couple <br /> of people testified for it and yet the County continues to push forward with it. Ms. Kimball put it <br /> mildly when she said there has been a lot of"interest" and "feedback" from the people. That <br /> interest and feedback has been 99%opposed to this bill. <br /> 4. Difficult to Enforce. Heather Kimball also stated at the April 4 Windward Planning Commission <br /> meeting that Bill 108 has been impossible to enforce. We know this to be true and a quick look <br /> online will show many illegal short term vacation rentals. If 108, which was passed 6 years ago, <br /> cannot be enforced how does the County intend to enforce new, complicated regulations which will <br /> be mandated for hundreds, if not thousands of residents, most of them just trying to make ends <br /> meet? <br /> Please oppose this egregious and unwanted bill. Thank you for your consideration. <br /> Respectfully submitted, <br /> 1`�[P�art <br /> Joy Dillon <br /> Hilo resident <br /> 808-640-2544 <br /> joy@joydillon.com <br />