Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

Hawaii House Bill HB2212 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.
OldNewDifferences
11 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.B. NO. 2212 THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024 STATE OF HAWAII A BILL FOR AN ACT relating to affordable housing. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
22
33 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.B. NO. 2212
44 THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
55 STATE OF HAWAII
66
77 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
88
99 H.B. NO.
1010
1111 2212
1212
1313 THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
1414
1515
1616
1717 STATE OF HAWAII
1818
1919
2020
2121
2222
2323
2424
2525
2626
2727
2828
2929
3030
3131 A BILL FOR AN ACT
3232
3333
3434
3535
3636
3737 relating to affordable housing.
3838
3939
4040
4141
4242
4343 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
4444
4545
4646
4747 SECTION 1. The legislature finds that there is a severe housing shortage in Hawaii. The legislature further finds that some medical, educational, and religious institutions are willing to convert a portion of their land to provide housing. It is not the intent of the legislature to allow fly-by-night developers to create one of these types of institutions solely to circumvent the normal development process. The purpose of this Act is to allow medical, educational, and religious institutions to build residential units on lands zoned for residential or commercial use within the urban district, under certain conditions. SECTION 2. Section 46-4, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows: "§46-4 County zoning. (a) This section and any ordinance, rule, or regulation adopted in accordance with this section shall apply to lands not contained within the forest reserve boundaries as established on January 31, 1957, or as subsequently amended. Zoning in all counties shall be accomplished within the framework of a long-range, comprehensive general plan prepared or being prepared to guide the overall future development of the county. Zoning shall be one of the tools available to the county to put the general plan into effect in an orderly manner. Zoning in the counties of Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai means the establishment of districts of such number, shape, and area, and the adoption of regulations for each district to carry out the purposes of this section. In establishing or regulating the districts, full consideration shall be given to all available data as to soil classification and physical use capabilities of the land to allow and encourage the most beneficial use of the land consonant with good zoning practices. The zoning power granted herein shall be exercised by ordinance which may relate to: (1) The areas within which agriculture, forestry, industry, trade, and business may be conducted; (2) The areas in which residential uses may be regulated or prohibited; (3) The areas bordering natural watercourses, channels, and streams, in which trades or industries, filling or dumping, erection of structures, and the location of buildings may be prohibited or restricted; (4) The areas in which particular uses may be subjected to special restrictions; (5) The location of buildings and structures designed for specific uses and designation of uses for which buildings and structures may not be used or altered; (6) The location, height, bulk, number of stories, and size of buildings and other structures; (7) The location of roads, schools, and recreation areas; (8) Building setback lines and future street lines; (9) The density and distribution of population; (10) The percentage of a lot that may be occupied, size of yards, courts, and other open spaces; (11) Minimum and maximum lot sizes; and (12) Other regulations the boards or city council find necessary and proper to permit and encourage the orderly development of land resources within their jurisdictions. The council of any county shall prescribe rules, regulations, and administrative procedures and provide personnel it finds necessary to enforce this section and any ordinance enacted in accordance with this section. The ordinances may be enforced by appropriate fines and penalties, civil or criminal, or by court order at the suit of the county or the owner or owners of real estate directly affected by the ordinances. Any civil fine or penalty provided by ordinance under this section may be imposed by the district court, or by the zoning agency after an opportunity for a hearing pursuant to chapter 91. The proceeding shall not be a prerequisite for any injunctive relief ordered by the circuit court. Nothing in this section shall invalidate any zoning ordinance or regulation adopted by any county or other agency of government pursuant to the statutes in effect prior to July 1, 1957. The powers granted herein shall be liberally construed in favor of the county exercising them, and in [such] a manner [as to promote] that promotes the orderly development of each county or city and county in accordance with a long-range, comprehensive general plan to ensure the greatest benefit for the State as a whole. This section shall not be construed to limit or repeal any powers of any county to achieve these ends through zoning and building regulations, except insofar as forest and water reserve zones are concerned and as provided in subsections (c) and (d). Neither this section nor any ordinance enacted pursuant to this section shall prohibit the continued lawful use of any building or premises for any trade, industrial, residential, agricultural, or other purpose for which the building or premises is used at the time this section or the ordinance takes effect; provided that a zoning ordinance may provide for elimination of nonconforming uses as the uses are discontinued, or for the amortization or phasing out of nonconforming uses or signs over a reasonable period of time in commercial, industrial, resort, and apartment zoned areas only. In no event shall [such] the amortization or phasing out of nonconforming uses apply to any existing building or premises used for residential (single-family or duplex) or agricultural uses. Nothing in this section shall affect or impair the powers and duties of the director of transportation as set forth in chapter 262. (b) Any final order of a zoning agency established under this section may be appealed to the circuit court of the circuit in which the land in question is found. The appeal shall be in accordance with the Hawaii rules of civil procedure. (c) Each county may adopt reasonable standards to allow the construction of two single-family dwelling units on any lot where a residential dwelling unit is permitted. (d) Notwithstanding any law, ordinance, or standard to the contrary, a religious, educational, or medical institution may build residential units on a parcel of land zoned for residential or commercial use within the urban state land use district; provided that any proposed housing development is less than fifteen acres and no greater than fifty per cent of the parcel area; provided further that any housing units developed on the institution's property pursuant to this subsection shall be retained by the institution so long as the institution remains in existence. As used in this subsection: "Educational institution" means any private educational organization that has been granted tax exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. "Medical institution" means any organization that has been incorporated in the State as a nonprofit corporation and that has continuously operated and will be operated exclusively to provide, or to contribute to the support of, organizations or institutions organized and operated exclusively to provide hospital, medical, research, or therapeutic services to the public. "Religious institution" means any religious institution or organization that has been granted tax exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code 1986, as amended, does not restrict membership to persons on the basis of race, color, or ancestry, and has no part of its earnings inured to any private shareholder or individual. [(d)] (e) Neither this section nor any other law, county ordinance, or rule shall prohibit group living in facilities with eight or fewer residents for purposes or functions that are licensed, certified, registered, or monitored by the State; provided that a resident manager or a resident supervisor and the resident manager's or resident supervisor's family shall not be included in this resident count. These group living facilities shall meet all applicable county requirements not inconsistent with the intent of this subsection, including but not limited to building height, setback, maximum lot coverage, parking, and floor area requirements. [(e)] (f) Neither this section nor any other law, county ordinance, or rule shall prohibit the use of land for employee housing and community buildings in plantation community subdivisions as defined in section 205-4.5(a)(12); in addition, no zoning ordinance shall provide for the elimination, amortization, or phasing out of plantation community subdivisions as a nonconforming use. [(f)] (g) Neither this section nor any other law, county ordinance, or rule shall prohibit the use of land for medical cannabis production centers or medical cannabis dispensaries established and licensed pursuant to chapter 329D; provided that the land is otherwise zoned for agriculture, manufacturing, or retail purposes." 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: _____________________________
4848
4949 SECTION 1. The legislature finds that there is a severe housing shortage in Hawaii. The legislature further finds that some medical, educational, and religious institutions are willing to convert a portion of their land to provide housing. It is not the intent of the legislature to allow fly-by-night developers to create one of these types of institutions solely to circumvent the normal development process.
5050
5151 The purpose of this Act is to allow medical, educational, and religious institutions to build residential units on lands zoned for residential or commercial use within the urban district, under certain conditions.
5252
5353 SECTION 2. Section 46-4, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
5454
5555 "§46-4 County zoning. (a) This section and any ordinance, rule, or regulation adopted in accordance with this section shall apply to lands not contained within the forest reserve boundaries as established on January 31, 1957, or as subsequently amended.
5656
5757 Zoning in all counties shall be accomplished within the framework of a long-range, comprehensive general plan prepared or being prepared to guide the overall future development of the county. Zoning shall be one of the tools available to the county to put the general plan into effect in an orderly manner. Zoning in the counties of Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai means the establishment of districts of such number, shape, and area, and the adoption of regulations for each district to carry out the purposes of this section. In establishing or regulating the districts, full consideration shall be given to all available data as to soil classification and physical use capabilities of the land to allow and encourage the most beneficial use of the land consonant with good zoning practices. The zoning power granted herein shall be exercised by ordinance which may relate to:
5858
5959 (1) The areas within which agriculture, forestry, industry, trade, and business may be conducted;
6060
6161 (2) The areas in which residential uses may be regulated or prohibited;
6262
6363 (3) The areas bordering natural watercourses, channels, and streams, in which trades or industries, filling or dumping, erection of structures, and the location of buildings may be prohibited or restricted;
6464
6565 (4) The areas in which particular uses may be subjected to special restrictions;
6666
6767 (5) The location of buildings and structures designed for specific uses and designation of uses for which buildings and structures may not be used or altered;
6868
6969 (6) The location, height, bulk, number of stories, and size of buildings and other structures;
7070
7171 (7) The location of roads, schools, and recreation areas;
7272
7373 (8) Building setback lines and future street lines;
7474
7575 (9) The density and distribution of population;
7676
7777 (10) The percentage of a lot that may be occupied, size of yards, courts, and other open spaces;
7878
7979 (11) Minimum and maximum lot sizes; and
8080
8181 (12) Other regulations the boards or city council find necessary and proper to permit and encourage the orderly development of land resources within their jurisdictions.
8282
8383 The council of any county shall prescribe rules, regulations, and administrative procedures and provide personnel it finds necessary to enforce this section and any ordinance enacted in accordance with this section. The ordinances may be enforced by appropriate fines and penalties, civil or criminal, or by court order at the suit of the county or the owner or owners of real estate directly affected by the ordinances.
8484
8585 Any civil fine or penalty provided by ordinance under this section may be imposed by the district court, or by the zoning agency after an opportunity for a hearing pursuant to chapter 91. The proceeding shall not be a prerequisite for any injunctive relief ordered by the circuit court.
8686
8787 Nothing in this section shall invalidate any zoning ordinance or regulation adopted by any county or other agency of government pursuant to the statutes in effect prior to July 1, 1957.
8888
8989 The powers granted herein shall be liberally construed in favor of the county exercising them, and in [such] a manner [as to promote] that promotes the orderly development of each county or city and county in accordance with a long-range, comprehensive general plan to ensure the greatest benefit for the State as a whole. This section shall not be construed to limit or repeal any powers of any county to achieve these ends through zoning and building regulations, except insofar as forest and water reserve zones are concerned and as provided in subsections (c) and (d).
9090
9191 Neither this section nor any ordinance enacted pursuant to this section shall prohibit the continued lawful use of any building or premises for any trade, industrial, residential, agricultural, or other purpose for which the building or premises is used at the time this section or the ordinance takes effect; provided that a zoning ordinance may provide for elimination of nonconforming uses as the uses are discontinued, or for the amortization or phasing out of nonconforming uses or signs over a reasonable period of time in commercial, industrial, resort, and apartment zoned areas only. In no event shall [such] the amortization or phasing out of nonconforming uses apply to any existing building or premises used for residential (single-family or duplex) or agricultural uses. Nothing in this section shall affect or impair the powers and duties of the director of transportation as set forth in chapter 262.
9292
9393 (b) Any final order of a zoning agency established under this section may be appealed to the circuit court of the circuit in which the land in question is found. The appeal shall be in accordance with the Hawaii rules of civil procedure.
9494
9595 (c) Each county may adopt reasonable standards to allow the construction of two single-family dwelling units on any lot where a residential dwelling unit is permitted.
9696
9797 (d) Notwithstanding any law, ordinance, or standard to the contrary, a religious, educational, or medical institution may build residential units on a parcel of land zoned for residential or commercial use within the urban state land use district; provided that any proposed housing development is less than fifteen acres and no greater than fifty per cent of the parcel area; provided further that any housing units developed on the institution's property pursuant to this subsection shall be retained by the institution so long as the institution remains in existence.
9898
9999 As used in this subsection:
100100
101101 "Educational institution" means any private educational organization that has been granted tax exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
102102
103103 "Medical institution" means any organization that has been incorporated in the State as a nonprofit corporation and that has continuously operated and will be operated exclusively to provide, or to contribute to the support of, organizations or institutions organized and operated exclusively to provide hospital, medical, research, or therapeutic services to the public.
104104
105105 "Religious institution" means any religious institution or organization that has been granted tax exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code 1986, as amended, does not restrict membership to persons on the basis of race, color, or ancestry, and has no part of its earnings inured to any private shareholder or individual.
106106
107107 [(d)] (e) Neither this section nor any other law, county ordinance, or rule shall prohibit group living in facilities with eight or fewer residents for purposes or functions that are licensed, certified, registered, or monitored by the State; provided that a resident manager or a resident supervisor and the resident manager's or resident supervisor's family shall not be included in this resident count. These group living facilities shall meet all applicable county requirements not inconsistent with the intent of this subsection, including but not limited to building height, setback, maximum lot coverage, parking, and floor area requirements.
108108
109109 [(e)] (f) Neither this section nor any other law, county ordinance, or rule shall prohibit the use of land for employee housing and community buildings in plantation community subdivisions as defined in section 205-4.5(a)(12); in addition, no zoning ordinance shall provide for the elimination, amortization, or phasing out of plantation community subdivisions as a nonconforming use.
110110
111111 [(f)] (g) Neither this section nor any other law, county ordinance, or rule shall prohibit the use of land for medical cannabis production centers or medical cannabis dispensaries established and licensed pursuant to chapter 329D; provided that the land is otherwise zoned for agriculture, manufacturing, or retail purposes."
112112
113113 SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
114114
115115 SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
116116
117117
118118
119119 INTRODUCED BY: _____________________________
120120
121121 INTRODUCED BY:
122122
123123 _____________________________
124124
125125
126126
127127
128128
129129 Report Title: Housing; Zoning; Religious Institutions; Educational Institutions; Medical Institutions; Nonprofit Organizations Description: Allows religious, educational, and medical institutions to build residential units on lands zoned for residential or commercial use within the urban state land use district, under certain conditions. The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
130130
131131
132132
133133
134134
135135 Report Title:
136136
137137 Housing; Zoning; Religious Institutions; Educational Institutions; Medical Institutions; Nonprofit Organizations
138138
139139
140140
141141 Description:
142142
143143 Allows religious, educational, and medical institutions to build residential units on lands zoned for residential or commercial use within the urban state land use district, under certain conditions.
144144
145145
146146
147147
148148
149149
150150
151151 The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.