2018-09-20 Leeward Exh B (Bill 108 re Short-term Vacation Rentals)

Home

these areas with residential zones. Residential zones were meant for families to grow safely and thrive. So, where has the ethic of our island gravitated to? Putting profit before the welfare of our families. So if these commercial businesses and mini resorts are allowed to invade our single-family residential neighborhoods, they must realize: 1) It’s a privilege to be there; and then, 2) their neighbors are paying the highest price – the loss of their place of restoration. These small hotels should have a near zero impact on their neighbors. Those of us who live and work in our homes need to be protected from hours of loud pool noise, stereos turned up throughout the day, or from feeling the stresses of not being able to escape their disturbances 24/7. We need to be protected from sleep deprivation. The impacts of the short-term vacation rentals are extreme. These tourists are having a great time, without regard to the neighbors who are living whose lives they are disrupting, some who have actually told me that they are paying top dollar for that privilege. They don’t even want to be in the resort area; they would rather be in my quiet neighborhood. In many areas, active steps are being taken to control abuses of short-term rentals. Maui has much stronger languages and fines than our Bill 108. San Diego has done a great job. Take a look at what they are doing, you guys. They spelled it out step by step. So for example, they have substantial fines to encourage the change of poor behavior affecting the neighbors. Noise violations are dealt with firmly and remedies are available to the City via the police to address and enforce violations, including the issuance of individual administrative citations in the amount of up to 1,000 dollars to each short-term rental guest and host. So I suggest we extend the citations of fines to include our short-term rental more restrictive noise and parking codes implemented in this bill. So I submit these limitations and suggestions: One hour per day of abusive noise that spikes 50 decibels at property line during non-quiet hours; the occupants should refrain from issues that, breaking the law and CC&Rs, if they are more stringent, that were meant to provide the character of that neighborhood, just as an actual resident in that neighborhood is required to do; those things should be posted; and the other things like single-family, they should remain single-family, that’s already been addressed. Thank you very much. I’ve given you guys links to find, to see what San Diego has been doing. It’s amazing, and they’ve laid it all out as to how to regulate and how to actually pull this off financially. \[Applaud from the audience.\] DE SOTO: Hi, thanks for the opportunity. My name is Corinne De Soto and I live in Kealakekua in South Kona. And maybe I’m outing myself here but I live on a coffee farm, Ag land. My husband and I have a, we run a farm, you know, we sell coffee, we net about 2,000 dollars a year in the sale of our coffee. We also have a permitted guest house, not a farm dwelling, an accessory dwelling unit. We’ve been paying TAT and GET taxes on that for last year that we’ve been operating under Airbnb. As far as I can tell, that doesn’t feel illegal – maybe I’m wrong. But my concern is that, you know – I’m a very responsible host, I’m a super host on Airbnb, that platform is incredible, and in terms of being able to set very clear guideline, I live, you know, 50 feet from the vacation rental, I never hear my guests at all other than the movement of chairs and 29 EXHIBIT B