A City Council committee delayed a decision yesterday on a measure that would expand permitting of bed-and-breakfast houses on Oahu, an issue that has long divided the community and pushed city officials to find a solution.

The City Council Zoning Committee agreed that the answer to the increase in vacation rental units needs to be better enforcement but still remains at odds over whether the bill would solve the problems.

“;I agree we need to keep the character of residential areas residential ... but you can allow some (vacation rentals) on a reasonable basis,”; said Councilman Gary Okino. “;If we want to address enforcement first, my view is you need to set the basic law for it.”;

For decades, the issue of bed- and-breakfasts has generated an uproar in the community, particularly from the Kailua and North Shore areas, drawing dozens - at times, hundreds - of residents to passionately testify in front of the City Council.

Yesterday's hearing was no exception as dozens of residents packed the small City Council meeting room yesterday.

Nearly all of the testifiers yesterday asked the City Council to not act on the bill. Those supporting more permitting of bed- and-breakfasts said the conditions are unreasonable for homeowners, while others simply don't want more of these homes for tourists in their neighborhoods.

“;We are asking to be regulated but not in a punitive way,”; said Angie Larson, president of the Hawaii Vacation Rental Association. “;For 20 years, we've revisited this issue many times. It needs to be finished, finalized and put to rest and it needs to be done with workable regulations that bring the community together.”;

“;The residential neighborhoods are being transformed,”; said Roxy Berlin, a Diamond Head resident who is also a neighborhood member for that area. “;You are elected officials. You have passed bills that make neighborhoods better, which this bill does not do.”;

The City Council plans on acting later on a proposal to impose restrictions on vacation rentals, which city officials say pose a bigger problem and generate more complaints.

The city receives the most complaints related to parking and noise surrounding these vacation rentals, said David Tanoue, the acting director of the city Department of Planning and Permitting.