HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0675.436 2022-2024From: Liz Lees
Sent: Monday, August 19, 2024 6:41 AM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Re: Bill 121- 1 oppose this bill
Dear Council,
I have written to you in the past, but I urge you to consider postponing Bill 121. The complex nature of this bill will cause
many owner operated hosts to drop out of the program resulting in significant loss of dollars to the county and state. I
believe an economic study should be completed before this bill is brought forward for a vote.
I am also quite concerned about the possibility of ethics violations and corruption at the county level. When the language
in the bill states "at the discretion of the planning director", does that mean if I bring $5,000 to my meeting with the
planning director I get a pass?
The complex nature of this bill deserves more time to understand the economic impacts as well as tweaking language
before being brought to a vote. I oppose this bill.
Reviewing this new bill 121, 1 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.
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 homeowners. 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,
Liz Lees
77-110 Nahale PL
Kailua Kona, HI 96740
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