WHEREAS, there is a growing concern in communities across the nation that current development patterns, dominated by sprawl, are not in the long-term interest of our cities, existing suburbs, small towns, rural areas, and natural resource areas; and

WHEREAS, communities are questioning the economic and social costs of abandoning existing infrastructure to build outwards, of abandoning older communities while developing open space and prime agricultural lands, and of growth that results in increased commuting times and distances; and

WHEREAS, in response to these concerns, states are adopting "smart growth" strategies that shift the focus away from the traditional "growth/no growth" question to the issue of how and where new growth should be accommodated, and these strategies are based on a vision of a strong economy, strong communities, and a clean and healthy environment; and

WHEREAS, smart growth goals include the creation of a range of housing and transportation choices; community and stakeholder collaboration; predictable, fair, and cost-effective development decisions; mixed land uses; preservation of open spaces, agricultural lands, natural resource areas, and critical environmental areas; strengthening of existing communities; and utilization of compact building design; and

WHEREAS, state actions and programs critically affect the pattern and quality of growth in our communities, and smart growth strategies are more likely to succeed when government actions and priorities, including those relating to spending and investments, are consistent with community development plans; and

WHEREAS, the State of Hawaii must contend with numerous issues that affect the growth of its communities, including:

(9) Limited public funds; and

WHEREAS, the State should address these issues within the context of growth management policies, strategies, and investments based on smart growth principles to help ensure a strong economy, livable communities, and a healthy environment; and

WHEREAS, in developing these smart growth policies and strategies, the State should also examine the five-year boundary review process mandated by section 205-18, Hawaii Revised Statutes, and consider how the process can be better implemented and more inclusive of the counties' viewpoints regarding growth; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-Second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2003, that the Governor is requested to appoint a Smart Growth and Boundary Review Task Force (task force) that shall:

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Governor is requested to appoint as members of the task force, persons with knowledge of growth and development issues in Hawaii and who represent the Office of Planning, county planning departments, landowners, the business community, developers, the agricultural community, environmental organizations, community-based organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to submit an interim report of its findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the convening of the Regular Session of 2004, and a final report of its findings and recommendations no later than twenty days before the convening of the Regular Session of 2005; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, the Director of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, and the Mayor of each county.

Report Title:

Smart Growth and Boundary Review Task Force