HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-03-31 PL-CCI-2024-000003 Bill 121 Matt Mangum Testimony From: Matt Mangum
To: W PCtesti mono
Subject: Reevaluation of Proposed Quiet Hours in Bill 121
Date: Sunday,March 31,2024 4:30:30 PM
Aloha Chairperson Lin and members of the Windward Planning Commission,
My name is Matt Mangum, and I am a homeowner who provides hosted short-term rental
accommodations. I write to you with a grave concern regarding the new proposed quiet hours
in Bill 121 and the latitude for subjective enforcement that could unfairly target our rentals. I
have witnessed many instances where neighbors have lodged complaints about guests
enjoying a poolside conversation at 3 pm, well within any reasonable person's definition of
daytime activities. The proposed definition of quiet hours, which states that noise should not
"disturb adjacent neighbors" from 8:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., is not only subject to personal
interpretation but also sets a dangerous precedent for selective enforcement based on the
whims of those who may be inclined to complain. Our neighbors engage in similar activities,
often louder and later into the night, yet the same scrutiny is not applied. It strikes at the heart
of fairness when the day-to-day living sounds of short-term renters, which are no different in
residential nature from those of long-term residents, become grounds for potential penalties.
The state's existing quiet hour laws already provide a balanced framework for all residents,
regardless of their tenancy's duration. Introducing stricter regulations for short-term rentals not
only discriminates against these residential properties but also ignores the reality that they
contribute positively to our local economy. Especially considering that these frivolous
complaints could lead to the revocation of my permit for up to two years? That would
bankrupt us. I urge a bold reevaluation of this proposed regulation. The new quiet hour
restrictions must be reconsidered to reflect the state's established laws, ensuring that short-
term rentals are not unjustly subjected to a different set of standards than any other residential
home. It's important to note that Bill 108's quiet hours didn't start until 9 PM. Please consider
deleting this requirement, as it already exists in State law, or adjusting it to a more reasonable
"quiet"time like 9:30 PM.
Sincerely, Matt Mangum