RES 167 Draft 01 2010-2012 - Laserfiche WebLink

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WHEREAS, Hawai`i Island is blessed with a mild climate and in many rural areas there is no need for insulation, artificial heating and cooling, and the construction materials associated with said construction; and WHEREAS, according to the Hawai`i County Integrated Resource and Solid Waste Management Plan, lumber accounts for 10% or more of materials disposed of in Hawai`i County's landfills; and WHEREAS, the Hawai`i County Integrated Resource and Solid Waste Management Plan commits Hawai`i County to diverting resources from its two landfills; and WHEREAS, the first goal of the County of Hawai`i Agriculture Development Plan is to expand Hawai`i Island food production so that 30% of its residents' demands for food can be supplied by local producers by 2020; and WHEREAS, establishment and occupation of owner -built sustainable habitat on agricultural land increases food production on that land, contributing to island -wide food sufficiency goals; and WHEREAS, self - reliance, resource sharing, neighborly cooperation, and community living are a vital part of economic livelihood, including building construction, in Hawai`i Island's rural areas; and WHEREAS, communication from the Hawai`i County Building Division identifies zero cases of known threats to public health and safety in existing unpermitted or noncompliant occupied buildings; and WHEREAS, in the special session of 2005, the State of Hawai`i enacted Act 8 which provided for the development of a sustainability plan to address the vital needs of Hawai`i through the year 2050 and established the Hawai`i 2050 Sustainability Task Force to review the Hawai`i State Plan and the State's comprehensive planning system; and WHEREAS, the Task Force's first priority is to modify, correct, and improve upon the nine benchmarks that are intended to initiate discussion. First among these benchmarks is to increase affordable housing opportunities for households up to 140% of median income; and WHEREAS, alternative rural building codes have been successfully passed in other jurisdictions in the United States; now therefore; BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII that it requests the Hawai`i County Department of Public Works to establish minimum requirements for owners and occupants of limited density rural dwellings and appurtenant structures in support of a forthcoming Sustainable Habitat Ordinance. 2