2024-04-04 PL-CCI-2024-000003 Bill 121 Virginia Guzior Testimony

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From: Virginia Guzior To: WPCtestimony Subject: Hawaii County Bill 121 Date: Thursday,April 4,2024 4:23:57 AM Chairman Dennis Lin Windward Planning Commission County of Hawaii 25 Aupuni St. Unit 1502 Hilo, HI 96720 Aloha Chairman Lin, I am writing to express my strong opposition to Hawaii County Bill 121. As a concerned citizen, I believe this bill poses significant challenges to our community, particularly in terms of enforceability, inequity, and the potential transformation of neighborhoods. Firstly, the enforceability of this bill raises serious concerns. With the current resources of the Planning Department, it seems impractical to expect effective oversight and enforcement of the new regulations proposed by Bill 121. This could lead to selective enforcement or even a complete lack of enforcement, undermining the bill's objectives. Secondly, the bill introduces a level of inequity among property owners. By imposing different rules for owners who live on-site and those who do not, Bill 121 unfairly discriminates against certain property owners. This could have unintended consequences, such as discouraging investment in our community and exacerbating the housing crisis. Lastly, the transformation of neighborhoods is a significant concern. The restrictions imposed by Bill 121 could lead to a decrease in the availability of short-term rentals, which play a vital role in our tourism-driven economy. This could have a ripple effect, impacting local businesses and employment opportunities. In light of these concerns, I respectfully request the Planning Commission to consider the following recommendations: Recommend the removal of restrictions about where hosts live and where guests stay, ensuring fairness and flexibility for property owners. Recommend streamlining the registration process to make it more accessible for homeowners, without invasive requirements. Recommend the removal of any rules or regulations that already exist in law, such as quiet hours and parking requirements, to avoid redundancy and confusion. I believe these recommendations will address the key issues with Bill 121, ensuring a more equitable and practical approach to regulating short-term rentals in Hawaii County. Mahalo for considering my concerns and recommendations. I trust that the Planning Commission will take the necessary steps to protect the interests of all residents and property owners in our community.