2024-04-15 Bill 121 Caryl Burns - Laserfiche WebLink

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From: Caryl To: LPCtestimony Subject: I OPPOSE HB 121 Date: Monday,April 15,2024 10:59:45 AM Subject: Urgent Need for Reevaluation of Bill 121's Impact on Local Communities Chairperson Barbara Defranco Leeward Planning Commission County of Hawaii 25 Aupuni St. Unit 1502 Hilo, HI 96720 Aloha Chairperson Lin & Commission Members, I am writing to express my deep concerns regarding the proposed measures under Hawaii Bill 121. As a resident deeply invested in the well-being of our local communities, I find it imperative to voice the potential adverse effects this bill could have on our ohana and the fabric of our neighborhoods. Firstly, the bill's approach to regulating short-term rentals lacks a foundation in comprehensive data, particularly regarding its impact on affordable housing and the local economy. Without a thorough economic impact study, we risk implementing policies that could inadvertently harm the very communities we aim to protect. Therefore, I urge the commission to recommend conducting an economic impact study before moving forward with this legislation. Moreover, the bill's enforcement mechanisms raise concerns about inequity and the potential for disproportionate impacts on smaller property owners. The requirement for property owners to provide detailed personal and property information could deter individuals from participating in the short-term rental market, thereby reducing the diversity of accommodations available to visitors and impacting local tourism. Additionally, the bill's restrictions on where hosts and guests can reside on a property seem overly restrictive and infringe on private property rights. Such regulations could transform the character of our neighborhoods, not by preserving them, but by limiting the ability of residents to utilize their properties in a manner that supports their livelihoods. In light of these concerns, I respectfully request the Planning Commission to: Recommend conducting an economic impact study to fully understand the bill's implications. Recommend streamlining the registration process to make it more accessible for all property owners. Recommend removing restrictions about where hosts live and where guests stay, provided the owner is on the same parcel or an adjacent one. Mahalo for considering these points. I believe that with thoughtful revisions, we can find a balanced approach that supports both our communities and the sustainable growth of tourism in Hawaii. Me ke aloha pumehana, Caryl Burns