HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-04-02 PL-CCI-2024-000003 Bill 121 Barry Northrop Testimony From: Barry Northrop
To: WPCtestimony
Subject: Bill 121 Planning Commission testimony
Date: Tuesday,April 2,2024 11:43:14 AM
Dear Planning Commission,
For years, Hawaii county has vilified homeowners who rent vacation space to island visitors.
Fair and reasonable regulation is essential but Bill 121 is an onerous overreach that imposes
over-bearing and stifling control over its residents.
My comments are geared specifically to owner-hosted accommodations. Bill 121 force fits all
transient accommodation rentals into the same box but this is misquided. There is a profound
difference between an out-of-state entity that seeks to maximize profits vs. a retired couple
trying to make ends meets.
Bill 121 reads like a manifesto in favor of distant faceless corporate financial interests (i.e.,
hotels) over kama'aina well-being and survival. If I were an major hotel chain, I would be
licking my chops for a law that squeezed the life from my competition.
As a reminder, the General Plan strives to position Hawaii Island for economic progress
while preserving the environment and strengthening community foundations. The county's
General Plan 2045 draft sets a goal for a healthy visitor industry: "A high quality of life for
residents is maintained while a regenerative visitor industry thrives through attracting people
seeking authentic,connected experiences (p. 164)." What better way to achieve this than by
encouraging residents to open their homes to travelers?Instead, Bill 121 practically
criminalizes these endeavors.
$10,000 fines? Really? In local newspapers, I see bail and fines for heinous criminal mayhem
for less. Disgusting.
Please do a reset and dial down the high-handed barriers imposed by Bill 121. I suggest that
owner-hosted accommodations be addressed by Chapter 25 (Zoning Code)using the Planning
Department's Home Occupation Declaration. With a few minor tweaks, this long standing,
currently available process suffices and is eminently applicable.
Sincerely,
Barry Northrop
Naalehu