Fleetwood Mac drummer approved for short-term rental permit

WAILUKU >> Mick Fleetwood has been approved for a permit to use a home on Maui as a short-term rental.

The Fleetwood Mac co-founder plans to keep the cottage in Napili vacant for family members and rent out the four-bedroom house included on the 22,000-square-foot property, The Maui News reported. The permit for the property was approved by the Maui Planning Commission Tuesday.

Debbie Mitchell, who represented Fleetwood before the commission, argued that Fleetwood lived on Maui and was not trying to profit off the island.

“This is a man who employs 150 to 200 people on this island, sits on the board of the hospital,” she said. “This is not someone on the Mainland trying to profit off the island. We just ask that his contribution to Maui’s economy and culture be taken into account.”

Fleetwood initially had his permit request deferred Sept. 22, when commissioners suggested he speak to neighbors who opposed his proposal.

The Department of Planning had recommended approval of Fleetwood’s permit, which needed to be reviewed by the commission. Another permitted short-term rental is within 500 feet of his property and two or more adjacent neighbors had filed written protests.

Although neighbors still had concerns, the commission approved the permit. Commissioners supported Fleetwood’s thoughts on making the property a long-term rental and hiring a full-time manager at the site.