HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0739.165 2016-2018P'GO". LER
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From: Sue Grose g{ �e ��
To: Council Testimony �� � � ZI 8 UN - 5 AR--: 7,•
Cc: Poindexter, Valerie; Eoff, Karen; Chung, Aaron; Lee Lo ue; Ohara, Eileen; Kual'ii; Jennifer; David, Maile;
Kanuha. Dru; Richards, Tim; Council Testimony; Baez, Wendy
Subject: Bill 108 Short Term Vacation Rental Testimony
Date: Thursday, June 14, 2018 9:45:32 AM
Aloha
I have lived in Kona nearly 20 years and visited here at my father's home
for 20 years before that. In all those years, this is the first time I have
seen a situation so frustrating and in need of legislation that it has led me
to submit testimony. Short term vacation rentals are an exploding problem
but one that can be resolved with prompt, appropriate regulation. I would
like to share some thoughts on the subject.
I realize that you are hearing from owners of vacation rentals and realtors
and I understand their concern to protect a substantial income source. But
the highly lucrative nature of stvr's is such that the number of owners
counting on this income source is growing rapidly. The sooner the problem
is addressed the sooner investors can find a more viable solution,
expanding in resort areas that are planned to accommodate visitors and
allowing neighborhoods to be livable, allowing long term renters to find
places to live and giving businesses a stronger base of employees. Delay
will only compound the problem.
• For every short term rental in a neighborhood, there are up to five
long term residents immediately affected by their disruption. We live
and work from these neighborhoods and we vote.
• How many stories have you heard of people unable'to find long term
rentals? How many stories have you heard of employers struggling
to find employees who aren't there because they can't find housing?
The Good Neighbor Policy built into Draft 2 is an excellent addition. It
speaks to the primary concern of neighborhoods disrupted by noise,
crowding and poor behavior that unfortunately is not controlled by many
non-resident landlords. I would suggest additions that would support the
concept.
• The number of guests allowed in the vacation rentals and shown in
their advertisements should be predicated on the permitted house
plans and limited to 2 guests per actual bedroom and one or at most
two additional guest with a sofa bed.
A process needs to be established to report stvr abuses in an
accessible manner.
The most important element that could be added to the transition process
would be to incorporate the Good Neighbor concept -into the decision as to
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which existing short term vacation rental properties are "grandfathered"
in. Owners of existing short term vacation rentals should be required to
provide evidence of being a good neighbor in the form of some sort of
signoff from their neighbors in addition to evidence of being in good
standing as to licenses and taxes. Owners who have abused the situation
should not get a "free" first year before their standing as a Good Neighbor
is considered. Owners who are already acting as Good Neighbors will not
find this a burden.
The rapid growth of short term vacation rentals adversely impacts quality
of life and property values in neighborhoods and severely reducr es
availability of affordable long term rentals, adversely affecting renters and
the businesses struggling to find employees when renters cannot find a
place to rent. Your constituents need your assistance to protect our rights
as homeowners, renters, business owners. The Mayor's office crafted the
original bill with the larger community in mind, not simply the landlords
who are making substantial profits and can take the time to lobby the
County Council. We look to you to listen closely and balance the competing
interests recognizing the large number of constituents who are adversely
affected by the present situation.
Aloha
Sue Grose