Hawaii-2017-SB1307-Introduced

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that there is value in grassroots input in planning improvements at the neighborhood level. Moreover, it is at the small scale level that residents and businesses find the most relevance in participating in the upgrade of their neighborhoods in the areas of economic revitalization, infrastructure improvements, and housing. The legislature also recognizes that a collaborative approach amongst major stakeholders is more effective than individual efforts. Therefore, the purpose of this Act is to establish neighborhood revitalization boards as a new type of planning and implementation approach to foster collaborative neighborhood revitalization strategies adopted by the State, counties, and local stakeholders.

SECTION 2. The Hawaii Revised Statutes is amended by adding a new chapter to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"Chapter

NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION BOARDS

§ -1 Neighborhood revitalization boards; established. (a) The councils of each county may establish by resolution one neighborhood revitalization board for each neighborhood revitalization area within the county; provided that there shall not be more than three boards established in any one county.

(b) In determining the areas in which to create neighborhood revitalization boards, the county councils shall give preference to those neighborhoods that:

(1) Include areas that are under the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development neighborhood revitalization strategy area program;

(2) Have already adopted a revitalization plan; or

(3) Have an existing or planned transit center that can influence economic revitalization and affordable housing in the neighborhood.

(c) The county councils may establish the neighborhood revitalization boards as independent agencies within existing county agencies or departments.

§ -2 Size; composition of members; staff. (a) The size of each neighborhood revitalization board shall be determined by the county councils; provided that each neighborhood revitalization board shall consist of at least three members of the public appointed by the county councils, each of whom shall reside within the census-designated place in which the board is being established, and one member from an appropriate county agency or department to be designated by the council as an ex officio member; provided further that among the public board members there shall be appointed at least one business owner and one homeowner from the area the board represents.

(b) The county councils may allow the neighborhood revitalization boards to hire their own staff, or the county councils may assign staff from designated county agencies or departments to the boards.

§ -3 Powers. The neighborhood revitalization boards shall have the power to:

(1) Submit requests for funding from the county councils, state legislature, and United States Congress;

(2) Approve neighborhood revitalization plans prior to the submittal of those plans to the county council for adoption;

(3) Comment on proposed policies and regulations that affect the board's neighborhood and neighborhood revitalization plan; and

(4) Advocate for the board's neighborhood and for the implementation of the board's revitalization plan.

§ -4 Neighborhood revitalization plans. (a) The neighborhood revitalization boards shall develop neighborhood revitalization plans, which shall include but not be limited to the following:

(1) An overall statement of the objectives of the plan;

(2) The neighborhood boundaries;

(3) An assessment of the existing conditions that brought about the need for the plan;

(4) Delineation of specific projects to achieve the plan's stated objectives, including estimated costs and times needed for completion; and

(5) Demonstration that the plan and projects comply with county long-range plans and other applicable county and state plans, such as neighborhood transit-oriented development plans.

A neighborhood revitalization plan may also include recommended changes to zoning and other regulatory laws.

(b) Projects included in a neighborhood revitalization plan may include public sector projects and private or non-profit projects that fulfill the plan's stated objectives and compliment and strengthen public sector initiatives.

(c) The neighborhood revitalization plan preparation process shall allow for participation and input from stakeholders and the public.

§ -5 County matching funds. Each county shall provide at least twenty per cent matching funds for any neighborhood revitalization plan or project for which the State provides funds. The matching funds may be applied to the development of the plan itself and to projects and actions that implement the plan, including land acquisition, planning and design studies, infrastructure or project construction, and administrative costs."

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2017.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	1307
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017
STATE OF HAWAII