HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0675.077 2022-2024 From: Liz Lees
Sent: Monday,January 22, 2024 10:40 AM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Bill 121
Dear Council,
Reviewing this new bill 121, I would fall into the "Owner hosted"category. I have been hosting short term guests in our
home for many years.Amazingly, with out the benefit of this the very complex and bureaucratic bill, we have been paying
the appropriate taxes (property, GET, and TAT)and have been a good neighbor and community member abiding by
already existing community rules and standards like quiet hours, parking etc...as have my"owner hosted" category
neighbors.
While I agree with the need to regulate unhosted and investor owned vacation rentals outside the resort zone, this bill
seems to be a solution in search of a problem and will place significant burdens and costs on locals that own their home
and rent out a portion to help make ends meet and afford their homes. Do we really need to add a significant new layer of
government interference in residents lives? I would like to see our local government spend more of it valuable time and
resources enforcing existing regulations and laws, before creating this new law.
Does the county really need to regulate what portion of a home the owner needs to live in vs renting? Should the county
be subjecting other wise law abiding citizens to"perjury"when asking them to verify all aspects of their home are up to
code? My home was built in 1970 and my permit records were destroyed in a court house fire. I can not say for sure what
is or is not permitted, nor can the county. Should we be asking anyone to forensically try to prove permits???? Roadside
signage?? Really??? Neighbor notification annually??? The cost associated with providing site plans? Not to mention the
cost to the county from legal challenges both from home owners and the hosting platforms.
No one I know in the owner hosted category rents for any other reason than they need the income to afford their homes.
This bill will negatively impact the livelihoods and affordability for many locals,not just the home owners. Many of my
neighbors and friends who would are in the "owner operated" category will have a great deal of difficulty understanding
and fulfilling the requirements presented in this complex and bureaucratic new bill.
I would like to see the county provide a full exemption to this bill for"owner hosted rentals. The regulations, laws and
taxes already in place are enough to govern owner hosted rentals.
Sincerely, c
rn
Liz Lees - -+
77-110 Nahale PL
Kailua Kona, HI 96740
Liz
Comm. No. W 151—
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1 Ref. Date 4,1V4 2 3 2024