HR259

WHEREAS, in spite of our land use and zoning regulations, development throughout the State has, in many cases, resulted in urban sprawl, loss of open spaces and greenbelts, overtaxed infrastructure, particularly highway traffic, and decaying neighborhoods; and

WHEREAS, the health, safety, and welfare of our residents is directly affected by the lack of proper planning and implementation of development proposals; and

WHEREAS, the prices of homes in the State, the length of daily commutes to work and recreation, and the safety of our neighborhoods are of vital statewide concern; and

WHEREAS, smart growth principles that include the following should be incorporated in all land use and zoning decision-making deliberations:

(1) Mixing land uses;

(2) Taking advantage of compact building design;

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

(4) Creating walkable neighborhoods;

(5) Fostering distinct, attractive communities with a strong sense of place;

(6) Preserving open spaces, farmland, natural beauty, and critical environmental areas;

(7) Strengthening and directing development towards existing communities;

(8) Providing a variety of transportation choices;

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

(10) Encouraging community and stakeholder collaboration in development decisions; and

(11) Ensuring that all public services and infrastructure necessary to support development are provided concurrently with the development; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2007, that the Speaker of the House of Representatives is requested to establish a task force to consider the incorporation of the principles of smart growth in land use and development decision-making; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Speaker is requested to appoint legislators and appropriate public and private stakeholders to the task force; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to select a chairperson from among its members; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to develop legislation for improved land use, more open spaces, compact urban areas, more affordable housing, decreased infrastructure costs, and other ideas along the lines of smart growth principles; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to report back to the House of Representatives not later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2008 with its findings and recommendations, along with any proposed legislation; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Dean of the School of Architecture of the University of Hawaii at Manoa, the Department of Urban and Regional Planning of the University of Hawaii at Manoa, State Land Use Commission, State Office of Planning, and the Executive Director of the Land Use Research Foundation.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Land Use and Zoning; Smart Growth Principles

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	259
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007
STATE OF HAWAII