The debate on whether to lift the ban on bed-and-breakfast operations continued yesterday, during more than eight hours of testimony before the City Council Zoning Committee.

Some 150 people on both sides of the argument weighed in.

The committee, however, deferred a vote until its next meeting.

The City Council is considering four bills — two that would lift a prohibition on issuing licenses for bed-and-breakfast operations, and two that would tighten restrictions and increase fines for transient vacation rentals.

This is the second chance opponents and supporters of vacation rentals have had to share their views before the City Council. And there will be more opportunities for testimony, if the bills continue to move forward.

People at the hearing were split between those who say bed-and-breakfast operations and other vacation rentals chip away at the sense of place in neighborhoods and cause nuisances, and those who say the businesses are often good neighbors and can be better ones if regulations are improved.

David Bramlett, a North Shore resident, was one of those opposed to lifting the ban on bed-and-breakfasts.

"We do not need B&Bs and vacation rentals in our community," he told the zoning committee.

Paula Ress, of Kailua, agreed.

"Think about what you want in your neighborhood," she said. "Is it a business zone or a residential zone?"

Vacation rental operators argued the city should be working with the industry to figure how to keep a few bad apples in line, and helping those who are doing business lawfully meet what they say is a growing demand.

Angie Larson, president of the Hawaii Vacation Rentals Owners Association, said vacation rental owners are eager to work with the council and community to find a solution that works for everyone.

"We want to have rules and regulations," she said.

Vacation rental owners are concerned about the two bills that would increase fines and regulations because they require the address of a property to be listed on advertisements — something they say could invite robberies.

They say the permit number would suffice.

Others say the address is needed to make sure establishments are legal. Vacation rentals opponent Don Bremner, spokesman for Keep It Kailua, said operators could easily fake a license number on an ad, but might have a harder time faking an address.

"These bills are the only ones that offer a solution," Bremner said, talking about the two measures that would increase fines and toughen regulations for vacation rentals. "The other bills only serve to worsen the problem."

BILLS DEBATED

The City Council is considering four bills dealing with vacation rentals.