StarBulletin.com

Council holds off on B&B measure


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POSTED: Monday, May 18, 2009

A City Council committee has delayed action on a proposal to allow bed-and-breakfasts to operate in residential areas under certain conditions.

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Zoning Committee Chairman Rod Tam extended by 60 days a June 7 deadline to act on the plan to allow time for newly elected Council member J. Ikaika Anderson to talk with Windward constituents who likely would be affected by the legislation. “;I thought it was only fair that they be represented by a Council member,”; Tam said.

Anderson won a special election last month to fill the Kaneohe-Kailua-Waimanalo seat previously held by Barbara Marshall, who died Feb. 22 of colon cancer. He was sworn in Thursday.

The committee approved the extension by a vote of 3-1 last week, with Councilman Duke Bainum in opposition. Bainum said he believes the proposal, Bill 6 (2008), has gone through too many revisions and has confused the public. He urged the Council to start with a clean version of the bill and to allow Anderson the opportunity to submit his own version.

“;None of us have heard more about bed-and-breakfasts than probably he has going door to door”; and in candidate forums, Bainum said.

Tam said he expects a thorough vetting of the bill and plans to set aside a half-day to hear public comment once Anderson is on board.