HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-03-31 PL-CCI-2024-000003 Bill 121 David Marzocchi (County Clerks) From: Ouihano,Chasitv
To: WPCtestimony
Subject: FW: Bill 121
Date: Thursday,April 4,2024 1:13:30 PM
Attachments: Vaca RntlBill4224.docx
From: David Marzocchi <davidmarzocchi@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, April 2, 2024 4:11 PM
To: Council Testimony<counciltestimony@hawaiicounty.gov>
Subject: Bill 121
Please find attached my written testimony pertaining to the upcoming Windward Planning
Commission meeting.
Sent from Mail for Windows
David Marzocchi
76-6257 Koko Olua Way
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
April2, 2024
The Windward Planning Commission
25 Aupuni St. Hilo, HI 96720
Re: Bill 121 Relating to TAR's
Dear Commission Members,
write to you today to protest the proposed amendments related to TAR's. Mywife and I are
Local residents and property owners who have managed and operated vacation rentals
here in Kona for over 10 years. We have done our best to comply with all related laws and
regulations despite the constant state of flux and confusion. We are respectful and take
pride in our properties and have never had any issues with neighbors or law enforcement.
We are simple people just trying to survive and supplement our income. Now, here comes
the County again with new and more onerous regulations and fees that we must review,
execute, and ultimately be in compliance with. I feel like the County representatives have
Lost sight of what's important and what drives our local economy. Tourism and all
associated lodging and services drive our economy. Always will. Despite this fact I don't
see our local representatives doing anything constructive to recharge and promote the
alternative lodging options that vacation rentals provide. All we hear is negativity and
everything that is wrong with vacation rentals. All of it is based on innuendo and a small
minority of"squeaky wheels"that overstate the reality of the situation. I have yet to see any
facts or truths with associated evidence.
The proposed regulations and actions are another example of government overreach with
the veiled goal of eliminating vacation rentals altogether. This is just wrong and simply
does not represent the interests of local property owners.
Ultimately, increased regulation of the already overregulated vacation rental industry is not
going to improve the housing availability or affordability crisis and it will certainly contribute
to a decline in "affordable"tourism options and the economic benefit that goes with them.
At the end of the day, I truly believe we are going down the wrong path and respectfully
request that the Commission reevaluate its proposed actions. Is the vacation rental
industry here really in such a bad state that all of these new and complex regulations are
necessary?
Please consider who is really going to get hurt here going forward. Seems like the honest,
law-abiding local residents are the ones getting harmed when we look to local
representation to step up and do the right thing for the constituents.
Please do what is right for local property owners. We are not the enemy.
Sincerely yours,
David Marzocchi