Bill Text: HI HB1405 | 2011 | Regular Session | Amended


Bill Title: Greenways and Trials; Smart Development

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2011-07-12 - (H) Act 233, on 7/12/2011 (Gov. Msg. No. 1337). [HB1405 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2011-HB1405-Amended.html

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1405

TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

S.D. 1

 

C.D. 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO PLANNING.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that given Hawaii's limited natural resources, the implementation of smart growth principles, including the preservation of open space, is crucial to the sustainability of the islands.  There are ten principles of smart growth:

     (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.

     Smart growth principles are most successful when the State makes systemic changes that are consistent with these principles in community planning and development as well as land preservation.  Several other states have implemented similar programs successfully.  For example, Maryland has implemented a series of legislation promoting smart growth, and Florida has implemented a greenways and trails program to provide more recreational opportunities and venues.

     The purpose of this Act is to promote smart growth and sustainability in the State by requiring the office of planning to develop a plan to establish a statewide system of greenways and trails.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  The office of planning shall develop a plan to establish a statewide system of greenways and trails that shall consist of individual greenways and trails and networks of greenways and trails.

     (b)  The office of planning shall:

     (1)  Coordinate with the department of transportation and the department of land and natural resources in its efforts to develop a plan for a statewide system of greenways and trails;

     (2)  Seek input from the counties regarding:

         (A)  The establishment of a system of greenways and trails for each county;

         (B)  The areas in each county that may be appropriate to designate as a greenway or trail; and

         (C)  The various impediments to establishing a system of greenways and trails in each county;

     (3)  Investigate and explore other jurisdictions that have established and implemented a system of greenways and trails;

     (4)  Investigate and consider, in consultation with the department of transportation, the use of transportation enhancement funds to establish and implement a statewide system of greenways and trails; and

     (5)  Establish a timeline for implementing a statewide system of greenways and trails.

     (c)  The office of planning shall submit a written report to the legislature of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2012.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2011.


 


 

Report Title:

Greenways and Trials; Smart Development

 

Description:

Requires the Office of Planning to establish a statewide system of greenways and trails.  Effective July 1, 2011.  (HB1405 CD1)

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

 

 

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