HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0739.073 2016-2018Rick Thompson
76-872 Io Kualua Pl.
Kailua Kona, 11196740
808 987 5352
Testimony on Bill 108
C TY C H
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C0 TY OF HAWAII
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I am here today to give testimony against the growing problem of short-term vacation rentals in residential zoned "
areas, turning homes into small hotels. Frankly, I lack the sophistication of understanding all the zoning codes, rules;
etc., but I do hope to influence the final reading of the Bill which right now appears too lenient toward operators and
punishing toward residential homeowners who have no push back.
My story is about the consequences of short-term rentals in residential areas, which could be told by hundreds of other
homeowners with a similar story. Twelve years ago, after having lived here for 20 years in apartments, we bought a
lot and built our first home. We looked for a quiet neighborhood to build where we could have relative peace and
quiet in our "dream home" we worked so hard to be able to afford. We thought we had succeeded in our RA zoned
half acre lot and neighborhood. Now after 33 years on the Big Island our dream has become a nightmare.
Our neighbor decided to move out of his home and use it as a short-term vacation rental. We now Iive next to what
amounts to a small hotel with a pool and hot -tub, jammed with up to 12 or more people in a three bedroom home built
for "single family residence," all a mere 15 feet away by setback from our bedroom windows. Do you know what it is
like when two or three families get together on vacation in Hawaii with these amenities? Screaming kids in the pool
as early as Gam and a party atmosphere every night often till later than 10pm. This vacation rental has only been
vacant for four days this year. Thus we have to constantly listen to the splashing, laughing, loud (often alcohol fueled)
conversation and the coming and going of sometimes three SUVs going by our house at all hours.
This is what hotels and resort areas are for. They are designed for this kind of activity. We and our other neighbors
bought or built our homes in good faith in a quiet residential neighborhood designed for single family residences.
County code defines "single family" as related by blood, marriage or adoption, or 5 not so related persons. This is
constantly violated by the owners. This is not fair and it is not right to subject us to the level of noise and activity that
should be reserved to a resort. Long-term rentals are fine, but short-term is nothing but a business/small hotel
established in a residential neighborhood where the owner does not have to bear the burden of the disruption and
annoyance of the transient vacationers. They don't live there and have to listen to it. They just collect the cash.
In my circumstance, I have a wife battling stage 4 cancer. She has trouble sleeping and needs to be in a stress -free
environment. Her health is now suffering. This will also effect the value of our property as people looking for a nice
home will not want to live next to a hotel.
We do not want to sound like selfish elitists who are somehow entitled to a pristine and silent environment. But, there
is a vast difference between the disruption produced by permanent neighbors accountable to the neighborhood and the
noise which comes with multiple families on vacation accountable to no-one. We are not against people renting a
room in their home, trying desperately to pay their mortgage. We are against owners who do not care about their
neighbors and are in this just to make a buck. They do not have to deal with the disruption. My neighbor could not
care less about the impact on us. He actually told us this to our face.
At the very least, these vacation rental businesses in residential zones should be required to get approval from
neighbors within 500 feet who are impacted by the disruption before permits are issued by the county. This is a
requirement for various other business and development uses. Affected homeowners need a voice.
In addition, those who have been knowingly operating their business illegally should not get a pass to continue with a
mere fine or promise to comply. The bill mentions GET, TAT and income tax. I did not see anything in the bill about
Property Tax. My former neighbor has been renting his home short and long-term without being in residence for
approximately five years. I checked his property tax records and he has never re -characterized his property tax status
as income property or lost his homeowners exemptions, including age exemptions which is required by law.
Areas zoned Residential should stay residential. I urge the Council to stand up for the rights of the thousands of
homeowners wanting to live in dignity and peace over the rights of the few wanting to make a quick buck at the
expense of their neighbors and the Aloha Spirit. �bq,, j
Comm. No. �
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