2024-04-03 PL-CCI-2024-000003 Bill 121 Nanette Teodoro Testimony

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From: n teodoro To: WPCtestimony Subject: Bill121 Date: Wednesday,April 3,2024 1:16:24 PM To: WPCtestimonyae,hawaiicounty.gov Subject: Concerns Regarding the Impact of STVR Restrictions on Local Economy and Housing Chairman Dennis Lin Windward Planning Commission County of Hawai'i 25 Aupuni St. Unit 1502 Hilo, HI 96720 Aloha Chairman Lin, I am writing to express my concerns about the proposed restrictions on Short-Term Vacation Rentals (STVRs) as outlined in Hawaii Bill 121. While I understand the intention behind these regulations is to address the housing crisis, I believe that abolishing or overly restricting STVRs will not effectively solve the housing issues we face. Instead, it could have unintended negative impacts on our local economy and the availability of long-term rentals. Many STVR hosts, especially those who live off-island, rely on the flexibility of renting their properties short-term to maintain their connection to the islands. These hosts are unlikely to switch to long-term rentals, as they value the ability to use their properties during specific times of the year. This situation is reminiscent of challenges faced by other cities, such as Toronto, Canada, where attempts to cap the number of STVRs did not directly translate to an increase in long-term housing availability. Furthermore, STVRs contribute significantly to our local economy. Owners of STVRs employ local workers, including landscapers, carpenters, electricians, and water delivery services. Guests of STVRs also support our economy by dining at local restaurants, renting cars, purchasing gasoline, and engaging in various activities that enrich our community financially. Given these considerations, I respectfully request the Planning Commission to: 1. Recommend conducting an economic impact study to fully understand the contributions of STVRs to our local economy. 2. Recommend streamlining the registration process for STVRs to support responsible operators while maintaining economic benefits. 3. Recommend removing restrictions about where hosts live and where guests stay, as long as the owner is in the same building, on the same parcel, or on an adjacent parcel. These recommendations aim to balance the need for housing with the economic benefits that STVRs bring to our community. By considering these factors, we can work towards solutions that support both our residents and our economy.