2024-04-11 PL-CCI-2024-000003 Bill 121 Don Carroll

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From: Don Carroll To: LPCtestimony Subject: Urgent Reconsideration of Bill 121"s Impact on Local Communities Date: Thursday,April 11,2024 10:23:44 PM Urgent Reconsideration of Bill 121's Impact on Local Communities Chairperson Barbara Defranco Leeward Planning Commission County of Hawai'i 25 Aupuni St.Unit 1502 Hilo, HI 96720 Aloha Chairperson Lin&Commission Members, I am writing to express my deep concerns regarding Hawaii Bill 121 and its potential impacts on our local communities,particularly in terms of enforceability,inequity,and the transformation of neighborhoods.As a Hawaii resident and registered voter. I am deeply invested in the well-being of our community;I urge the commission to consider the following points and recommendations. Firstly,the enforceability of Bill 121 raises significant concerns. The resources required to monitor and enforce the proposed regulations could strain the Planning Department's staff,diverting attention from other critical community development projects. This could lead to a misallocation of human resources, impacting the department's overall efficiency and effectiveness. Secondly,the bill introduces elements of inequity by not providing equal treatment to all property owners. Specifically,it differentiates between owners who live on-site and those who do not,but still manage their properties responsibly. This distinction could unfairly penalize responsible operators and caretakers, undermining the spirit of fairness and equality. Lastly,the transformation of neighborhoods under Bill 121 could lead to unintended consequences,such as educing the availability of affordable accommodations for visitors and impacting the local tourism economy. This,in turn,could have a ripple effect on small businesses and the broader community.Example to consider that Volcano National Park had 1.6 million visitors last year.Where would these people stay if STR were not available? Personal example in our life's experience of the importance and availability of STR.When the 2018 Volcanic Eruption started.We were forced by mandatory evacuation from our home(Living in Leilani Estates)and needed to find housing quickly.We secured a STR in a few hours,which turned into several months.I am sure there were some people in Maui who had the same experience of finding temporary housing as we did. In light of these concerns,I respectfully request the Planning Commission to: 1. Recommend the removal of restrictions about where hosts live and where guests stay,ensuring fairness and flexibility for property owners. 2. Recommend streamlining the registration process to eliminate unnecessary burdens on property owners. 3. Recommend the inclusion of an undue hardship clause to protect homeowners at risk of losing their housing due to the bill's requirements.Basically a Grandfather Clause to those who currently operate owner occupied STR. These recommendations aim to address the bill's potential negative impacts while preserving the interests of our local communities. Mahalo for considering my perspective on this important matter.I trust that the commission will take these points into account and work towards a more balanced and equitable approach to regulating short-term rentals in Hawaii County.