HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0739.095 2016-2018cou
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From: 3. Robert Taylor d
To: Council Testimony A ' 4 ., 1- 53
Subject:
Subject: Bill 108
Date: Wednesday, May 30, 2018 9:23:22 AM
Dear Council,
I have been coming to the island since the only major store was the Sears in Hilo. I love the
aloha of Hawaii and want to see it flourish.
We own two residential properties. One in a resort zone and another in a residential zone. We
have always rented the property in the "resort" zone as its amenities and history designed this
property for transient guests. The other property which is in a residential zone, never had
transient rentals in the neighborhood until the last 6 years. The result has been disruptive and
has pit neighbor against neighbor. The original CC&R's for the development were drawn
long before the AirBNB/VRBO's even existed and certainly did not contemplate anything
other than longer term rentals. .Residential zoning principles need to be upheld and
strengthened.
I am in favor of confining transient rentals to "resort" zoning areas for several reasons:
1. , Owners who purchased in those zones did so with the expectation that their homes
would be used by tourists and even if they did not lease their own property that they were
aware the other neighbors would do so.
2. Confining transient rentals to these areas will increase revenue to the, County as they
can better track these activities in more defined areas. In fact, encouraging this type of use in
those areas would improve the tourist experience since they tend to be in the areas where
tourists want to shop, golf, surf, golf and visit. The resort properties were built to handle the
parking and traffic that a transient use create.
3. The existing hotel industry needs to be fully supported as they provide jobs to the
community in many ways. To siphon off their income to investors up the hill is harmful to the
economy of the island and also the jobs that residents depend on, for their income.
4. Existing residential zoning should be preserved to avoid speculation by non-residents
of the island who will use the home for transient rentals rather than badly needed housing for
local residents. If homes have a greater value as' income properties, this will tend to drive up
the cost of housing in residential areas making it difficult for permanent residents to afford to
rent and own in Hawaii. One of the main purposes of zoning is to regulate use. If residential
areas become used for business purposes it totally defeats the original intent of creating a
"residential" zone. For this reason I am against grandfathering in of properties located in
residential zones, except for a 2 year transition period to come into compliance (and then only
if they can prove that they have lawfully paid taxes). Due to the current eruption I suggest
those in Lava Zone 1 and 2 in Puna, be exempt for one year from the registration fee of
$500.00.
5. Transient rental accommodators, like AIRBNB/VRBO/HOMEAWAY, et al. should be
responsible for making sure any property they advertise is registered and pays taxes for all
rental income collected. They must specifically be prohibited from advertising properties
C, IMm No. Q
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Ref. Date 05
that are in a residential zone that are not registered. All the platforms have software that can
easily filter these inappropriate rentals out.
6. Owner's who want to rent out a room in their personal residence on a transient basis
should be allowed to do so subject to current zoning limitations.
Please protect residential zoning and encourage tourist rentals in the resort areas. Thank you
for your service to the community.
Sincerely,
Bob Taylor
75-6 138 Alii Drive #19
Kai lua-Kona Hl 96740