A City Council committee yesterday deferred action on a bill that would lift the ban on new bed-and-breakfast operations on O'ahu.

The Zoning Committee deferred action on Bill 6 following a hearing filled to overflowing, with more than 50 people testifying on the bill and dozens standing along walls or waiting in the halls at Honolulu Hale, where the hearing was broadcast.

Bill supporters and opponents said they were happy with the decision because it gave them more time to address issues and argue their point of view.

"(The council members') awareness from the first two meetings show they've learned a lot," said Larry Bartley, with Save Our O'ahu Neighborhoods, which opposes the bill. "The more they learn, the more they're going to come to our thinking."

Fred Larson, with Hawaii Vacation Rental Owners Association, said the bill needs more work and that his group would be happy to help.

"Our goal is to have a viable industry that can be regulated and is regulated," Larson said.

Under the latest version of the bill, an owner would not have to live in the bed-and-breakfast home; applicants for permits would not have to make a presentation at neighborhood boards; neighbors would not be able to ask for a public hearing; and a 500-foot minimum distance between bed-and-breakfast operations would be eliminated.

The changes would open neighborhoods to an unlimited number of operations — and even people in support of bed-and-breakfast homes said they do not want that to happen. Others were concerned that not requiring an owner to live in the home would lead to enforcement issues regarding complaints about noise and overflow parking on the street.

Many said enforcement of the law was weak and that no new law could be effective until enforcement is strengthened.

Councilman Rod Tam, chairman of the Zoning Committee, said he heard the comments that the bill needs more review and that the City Council should look at improving enforcement of the law "loud and clear."

The bill will be reworked in hopes of addressing those concerns, Tam said.