Report Title:

State Plan; Smart Growth Principles

 

Description:

Adds as an objective in the State Plan that land development shall be in compliance with smart growth principles.

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2526

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT


 

 

relating to the state plan.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  Chapter 226, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§226-     Objectives and policies for land development.  (a)  Planning for land development in the state shall be directed toward the achievement of the following objectives:

     (1)  To develop land in a manner that first and foremost places the health, interests, and concerns of the people of the State as the primary objective of land development;

     (2)  To provide healthy and livable housing alternatives for all individuals in the state; and

     (3)  To balance the quality of life with economic growth and land development.

     (b)  To achieve the land development objectives, it shall be the policy of the State that land development shall be guided by the following smart growth principles:

     (1)  Creating a range of housing opportunities and choices;

     (2)  Creating walkable neighborhoods;

     (3)  Encouraging community and stakeholder collaboration;

     (4)  Fostering distinctive, attractive communities with a strong sense of place;

     (5)  Making development decisions predictable, fair, and cost effective;

     (6)  Mixing land uses;

     (7)  Preserving open space, farmland, natural beauty, and critical environmental areas;

     (8)  Providing a variety of transportation choices;

     (9)  Strengthening and directing development toward existing communities; and

    (10)  Taking advantage of compact building design."

     SECTION 2.  Section 226-58, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "§226-58  County general plans.  (a)  The county general plans and development plans shall be formulated with input from the state and county agencies as well as the general public.

     County general plans or development plans shall indicate [desired] expected or projected population and physical development patterns for each county and regions within each county.  In addition, county general plans or development plans shall address the unique problems and needs of each county and regions within each county.  The county general plans or development plans shall further define applicable provisions of this chapter; provided that any amendment to the county general plan of each county shall not be contrary to the county charter.  The formulation, amendment, and implementation of county general plans or development plans shall take into consideration statewide objectives[,] and policies[,] set forth in this chapter, and programs stipulated in state functional plans approved in consonance with this chapter.

     (b)  County general plans shall be formulated on the basis of sound rationale, data, analyses, and input from state and county agencies and the general public, and contain objectives and policies as required by the charter of each county.  Further, the county general plans should:

     (1)  Contain objectives to be achieved and policies to be pursued with respect to population density, land use, transportation system location, public and community facility locations, water and sewage system locations, visitor destinations, urban design, and all other matters necessary for the coordinated development of the county and regions within the county; [and]

     (2)  Contain implementation priorities and actions to carry out policies to include but not be limited to land use maps, programs, projects, regulatory measures, standards and principles, and interagency coordination provisions[.]; and

     (3)  Require land development to comply with the smart growth principles contained in section 226-    ."

     SECTION 3.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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