HomeMy WebLinkAboutHRS Chapter53 Combined DocCHAPTER 53
URBAN RENEWAL LAW
Part I. Urban Redevelopment Act
Section
53-1 Definitions
53-2 Redevelopment agency; creation
53-3 Interest in project prohibited; disclosure of
interest
53-4 Removal of members
53-5 Powers and duties of agency
53-6 Initiation and approval of redevelopment plan
53-7 Urban renewal projects in disaster areas
53-8 Acquisition of lands in redevelopment project
53-9 Work on acquired areas; competitive contracts
53-10 Appraisal of lands of agency
53-11 Government instrumentalities to cooperate with agency
53-12 Sale and lease of acquired lands; preference
53-13 New constructions by agency
53-14 Agency exempt from real property taxes
53-15 Financial assistance of agency and office of urban
renewal coordinator; redevelopment fund
53-16 Bonds of agency
53-17 Bonds of agency to be legal investments
53-18 Investment of funds
53-19 Report
53-20 Auxiliary redevelopment area
53-21 Auxiliary redevelopment area; displaced persons
53-22 Governmental advances, donations, and other
appropriations
53-23 Redevelopment corporations; how created
53-24 Consent of agency to incorporation of redevelopment
corporations
53-25 Application of other corporation laws
53-26 Powers of redevelopment corporations
53-27 Limited return on investment
53-28 Consideration for issuance of stocks and bonds
53-29 Minimum amount of stock and debentures
53-30 Income debentures
53-31 Mortgages and mortgage bonds
53-32 Limitations
53-33 Advances by redevelopment corporation
53-34 Regulation of redevelopment corporations
53-35 Transfer of title or foreclosure of project
53-36 Dissolution
53-37 Participation by certain corporations
53-38 Tax exemption
53-39 No limitation of provisions by implication
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Part II. Urban Renewal
53-51 Urban renewal projects
53-52 Urban renewal plan
53-53 Powers with respect to urban renewal
53-54 Assistance to urban renewal by counties and other
public bodies
53-55 Urban redevelopment coordinator, office created
53-56 Workable program, definition
53-57 Coordinator, appointment, term, removal
53-58 Coordinator, qualifications
53-59 Coordinator, duties and powers
53-60 Ordinance relating to repair, closing, and demolition
of dwellings unfit for human habitation
53-61 Repealed
Part III. Exercise of Urban Renewal Powers by a County
Directly
53-81 County may exercise urban renewal powers directly
53-82 Abolition of existing agency
53-83 Powers of county
53-84 Incurring of indebtedness by the county
53-85 Projects to constitute "undertakings"; revenues to
include certain federal moneys; imposition of rates
and charges
Case Notes
Chapter cited: 44 H. 154, 174, 352 P.2d 861.
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PART I. URBAN REDEVELOPMENT ACT
§53-1 Definitions. The following terms wherever used or
referred to in part I, part II and, unless specifically indicated
otherwise therein, part III of this chapter have the following
respective meanings, unless a different meaning clearly appears from
the context:
"Agency", "local agency", or "local redevelopment agency" means
a local redevelopment agency of the county in which a redevelopment
project or the redevelopment project concerned is situated, created
pursuant to this chapter. Each agency shall be designated by the
name of the county followed by the words "redevelopment agency",
e.g., "Maui redevelopment agency".
"Blighted area" means an area (including a slum area), whether
it is improved or unimproved, in which conditions such as: the
dilapidation, deterioration, age, or obsolescence of the buildings
or improvements thereon; inadequate ventilation, light, sanitation,
or open spaces, or other insanitary or unsafe conditions; high
density of population and overcrowding; defective or inadequate
street layout; faulty lot layout in relation to size, adequacy,
accessibility, or usefulness; diversity of ownership; tax or special
assessment delinquency exceeding the fair value of the land;
defective or unusual conditions of title; improper subdivision or
obsolete platting; existence of conditions which endanger life or
property by fire or other causes; or any combination of these
factors or conditions predominate, thus making the area an economic
or social liability, or conducive to ill health, transmission of
disease, infant mortality, juvenile delinquency, or crime, or
otherwise detrimental to the public health, safety, morals, and
welfare.
"Bonds" means any bonds, notes, interim certificates,
debenture, or other obligations.
"Council" means the county or city council of a county or of
the county in which the redevelopment project concerned is situated.
"County" has the meaning set forth in section 1-22 and, where
appropriate, means the county in which the redevelopment project
concerned is situated.
"Hawaii housing finance and development corporation",
"corporation", "government", "federal government", and "real
property" have the respective meanings set forth for these terms in
chapter 201H.
"Obligee" includes any bondholder, agents or trustees for any
bondholders, or lessor demising to the agency property used in
connection with a redevelopment project, or any assignee or
assignees of the lessor's interest or any part thereof, and the
federal government when it is a party to any contract with the
agency.
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"Planning commission" means the planning commission for the
county established by or pursuant to any state law, or, if there is
no planning commission, then the council of the county.
"Public notice" means notice stating generally the purpose and
the time and place for the hearing or meeting to which the notice
relates, or stating generally the information required to be covered
by the notice, given at least once (unless a greater number is
specifically required) in the county in which the hearing or meeting
is to be held, or in which the redevelopment project concerned is
situated. Unless otherwise specifically provided, the notice, or
the first notice (if more than one), must be made at least three
days prior to the date of the hearing or meeting to which it
relates.
"Redevelopment" means the planning, development, replanning,
redesign, clearance, reconstruction or rehabilitation, or any
combination of these, of a redevelopment area or part thereof, and
the provision of the residential, commercial, industrial, public, or
other structures or spaces as may be appropriate or necessary in the
interest of the general welfare, including recreational and other
facilities incidental or appurtenant thereto. The term does not
exclude the continuance of existing buildings or uses whose
demolition and rebuilding or change of use are not deemed essential
to the redevelopment and rehabilitation of the area. The term
includes provision for open space types of use, such as streets and
other public grounds and space around buildings, as well as
buildings, structures, and improvements, public or private, and
improvements of recreation areas, public or private, and other
public grounds.
"Redevelopment area" means all or a portion of an area in a
county which the planning commission thereof has determined to be a
blighted area and whose redevelopment is necessary to effectuate the
public purposes declared in this chapter.
"Redevelopment corporation" means a corporation created
pursuant to section 53-23.
"Redevelopment plan" means a plan, together with any amendments
thereto, for the redevelopment of all or any part of a blighted
area.
"Redevelopment project" means a specific work or improvements
to effectuate all or any part of a redevelopment plan.
"Resolution", unless specifically otherwise provided, means a
resolution requiring no notice before, and only one reading for, its
adoption.
"State" means the State of Hawaii.
"Urban area" means any closely settled community in a county.
[L 1949, c 379, §3; am L 1951, c 244, §1; am L 1955, c 271, §1(d);
RL 1955, §143-2; am L 1965, c 101, §1(a); HRS §53-1; am L 1974, c
123, §1; am L 1997, c 350, §8; am L 1998, c 2, §19; am L 2006, c
180, §13]
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§53-2 Redevelopment agency; creation. (a) The council of a
county by resolution may create a local redevelopment agency for the
county, which shall be a county agency and a public body, corporate
and politic, and shall consist of five members, appointed by the
mayor, with the approval of the council, who shall be outstanding
and public-spirited citizens and who shall have resided in the
county for at least three years immediately preceding their
appointment. The members of the agency shall serve for terms of
five years each; provided that upon the initial appointment of the
members of the agency, one member shall be appointed for a term of
one year, the second member for a term of two years, the third
member for a term of three years, the fourth member for a term of
four years and a fifth member for a term of five years. Each
vacancy shall be filled by the appointing power for the remainder of
the unexpired term. No more than three of the members shall belong
to the same political party.
(b) The appointing power which appoints a member may appoint
an acting member to serve during the absence or inability to serve
of such member, and the acting member shall, while so acting, have
all of the powers of the member in whose place the acting member is
temporarily appointed. Members shall hold over until their
respective successors are appointed and qualify. Members shall
receive no remuneration for their services except actual expenses
incurred in the performance of their duties. No member shall hold
any elective or other appointive office or position of the member's
county. Each member shall be required to give bond in the sum of
$15,000 for the faithful performance of the member's duties, and the
agency may also require any of its subordinates to give bond, the
premiums upon the bonds to be paid by the agency. [L 1949, c 379, pt
of §4; am L 1951, c 244, §2; RL 1955, §143-3; am L 1957, c 64, §1;
am imp L 1967, c 80, §1; HRS §53-2; gen ch 1985]
Attorney General Opinions
Redevelopment agencies are not "political subdivisions" within
meaning of §103-53 and are not subject to tax clearance
requirements. Att. Gen. Op. 62-14.
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§53-3 Interest in project prohibited; disclosure of interest.
No member or employee of the redevelopment agency shall acquire any
interest, direct or indirect, in any redevelopment project or in any
property included or planned to be included in any such project, nor
shall the member or employee have any interest, direct or indirect,
in any contract or proposed contract, for materials or services to
be furnished or used in connection with the project. If any member
or employee owns or controls an interest, direct or indirect, in any
property included or planned to be included in any redevelopment
project, the member or employee shall immediately disclose the same
in writing to the agency and the disclosure shall be entered upon
the minutes of the agency. Failure to so disclose the interest
shall constitute misconduct sufficient to warrant removal. [L 1949,
c 379, pt of §4; am L 1955, c 271, pt of §1(e); RL 1955, §143-4; HRS
§53-3; gen ch 1985]
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§53-4 Removal of members. Any member of a redevelopment
agency may be removed for any inefficiency, neglect of duty, or
misconduct in office by the mayor with the approval of the council.
[L 1949, c 379, pt of §4; am L 1955, c 271, pt of §1(e); RL 1955,
§143-5; am L 1957, c 64, §3; HRS §53-4]
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§53-5 Powers and duties of agency. The powers and duties of
the redevelopment agency shall be as follows:
(1) To undertake and carry out urban renewal projects and related activities authorized by this
chapter; to make and execute contracts and other instruments necessary or convenient to exercise its
powers under this chapter; to sue and be sued; to have a seal; and, subject to any limitations in this
chapter contained, to exercise all powers necessary, incidental, or convenient to carry out and
effectuate the purposes and provisions of this chapter.
(2) To make, amend, and repeal rules and regulations not inconsistent with this part to carry into
effect the powers and purposes thereof, which rules and regulations shall be subject to chapter 91.
(3) To appoint a manager and a deputy manager who shall have such qualifications as the agency
deems necessary and who shall hold their respective offices at the pleasure of the agency. The
manager shall be exempt from the requirements of chapter 76 and shall receive such salary as the
agency may provide. The deputy manager shall be exempt from the requirements of chapter 76 but
shall be subject to the position classification plan. The manager shall have full power to administer
the affairs of the agency, subject to the direction and approval of the agency. The manager shall,
subject to the approval of the agency, have power to appoint, suspend, and discharge such other
employees, subordinates, and assistants as may be necessary for the proper conduct of the business of
the agency. All the appointments, suspensions or discharges shall be made in conformity with the
applicable provisions of chapter 76.
(4) To make preliminary surveys, studies, and plans to identify redevelopment areas; provided that
the studies and initial determination of what areas are blighted, within the meaning of this part, shall
be made exclusively by the planning commission, and to make redevelopment plans for the areas,
which plans shall be in conformity with the master plan for the development of the locality, and each
plan shall show the outline of the area, character of existing development, proposed use of land,
general character of new buildings and other general details of redevelopment, as well as the
preliminary estimated cost thereof. Further, the plans shall give due consideration to the provision of
adequate park and recreational areas and facilities that may be desirable for neighborhood
improvement, with special consideration for the health, safety and welfare of children residing in the
general vicinity of the site covered by the plans. In preparing redevelopment plans the agency shall
utilize such assistance as can be given by employees of the government, but may also enter into
contracts for professional services in connection therewith. Any council which is not otherwise
authorized to establish a planning commission with power to prepare a master plan for the physical
development of the locality, may prepare such a master plan for the purposes of initiating and
carrying out a redevelopment project under this part.
(5) To assist and cooperate with other local agencies within the State and to contract for
professional services with the other local agencies in carrying out its duties.
(6) To establish and operate a central relocation office which shall perform such functions and
activities as may be necessary and proper for the satisfactory relocation of families, individuals,
businesses, and nonprofit organizations, incorporated and unincorporated, displaced by any
governmental action to decent, safe, and sanitary locations at rents and prices within the financial
means of the displaced families, individuals, businesses, and nonprofit organizations. To the extent
that special funds are made available by the State or the county, the agency may authorize the central
relocation office to make relocation payments for actual moving costs to families, individuals,
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businesses, and nonprofit organizations, incorporated or unincorporated, displaced from other than
urban renewal projects; provided that the payments shall not exceed $100 for each displaced family or
individual and $300 for each displaced business (including the operation of a farm) or nonprofit
organization; provided further that the payments shall not be made to recipients of any other
relocation payments made by any government or agency thereof for the same displacement. In the
case of a business, the allowable expenses for transportation shall not exceed the cost of moving fifty
miles from the point from which the business is being displaced.
To prepare plans for and assist in the relocation of persons (including individuals, families,
business concerns, nonprofit organizations and others) displaced from an urban renewal area, and to
make relocation payments to or with respect to the persons from funds provided by the federal
government.
(7) To prepare a general neighborhood renewal plan for urban renewal areas which may be of
such scope that urban renewal activities may have to be carried out in stages over an estimated period
of up to ten years. The plan may include, but is not limited to, a preliminary plan which (A) outlines
the urban renewal activities proposed for the area involved, (B) provides a framework for the
preparation of urban renewal plans, and (C) indicates generally the land uses, population density,
building coverage, prospective requirements for rehabilitation and improvement of property, and
portions of the area contemplated for clearance and redevelopment. A general neighborhood renewal
plan shall, in the determination of the local governing body, conform to the general plan of the
locality as a whole and the workable program of the county. [L 1949, c 379, pt of §4; am L 1951, c
244, pt of §3; am L 1953, c 209, §3; am L 1955, c 271, §1(f); RL 1955, §143-6; am L 1957, c 163, §1;
am L 1959, c 33, §1; am L 1961, c 112, §1 and c 144, §1; am L 1963, c 66, §1; am L 1965, c 96, §89
and c 101, §1(b) to (e); HRS §53-5; am L 2000, c 253, §150]
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§53-6 Initiation and approval of redevelopment plan. (a)
Before adopting a redevelopment plan, the redevelopment agency shall
be assured that satisfactory housing facilities are available or
that reasonable provisions will be made for the temporary housing of
individuals and families displaced by the removal of living
facilities from the redevelopment project. In making the
determination the agency may confer with the Hawaii public housing
authority with respect to the possible placement of displaced
families in projects owned and operated by the authority.
(b) The agency shall submit the redevelopment plan to the
planning commission for study and approval thereof. The planning
commission may approve, amend and approve, or disapprove the plan.
If the planning commission disapproves the plan or amends the plan
and the amendment is not approved by the agency, the agency may
submit the plan as disapproved or amended to the council which may
nevertheless approve or amend and approve the plan by resolution,
but only by the affirmative vote of at least five of its members,
after holding a public hearing and subject to the procedure set
forth in the next paragraph.
After the planning commission has approved a redevelopment
plan, and upon acceptance thereof by the agency if amended, the
agency shall submit the plan to the council which shall hold a
public hearing thereon, after giving published notice thereof on
three separate days, the first publication to be at least ten days
before the date of the hearings, and may approve, amend and approve,
or disapprove the plan by resolution; provided that the council
shall not approve, or amend and approve, the plan unless it finds
that the redevelopment project area is a blighted area within the
urban limits of the county; and provided further that any amendment
made by the council must be accepted by the agency before final
approval by the council. If the council approves a redevelopment
plan, published notice of the approval shall be given by at least
three publications and further proceedings with respect to the
redevelopment project covered by the plan shall be stayed for a
period of thirty days after the first publication of the notice.
Actions, suits, or proceedings to contest the validity of the
proceedings prescribed by the foregoing provisions of this chapter
or of the redevelopment plan shall be barred upon the expiration of
the period of thirty days, and no action thereafter commenced shall
raise any question concerning the validity of the proceedings
provided by the foregoing provisions of this chapter or of the
redevelopment plan, and in all actions, suits, or proceedings
commenced after the expiration of the period of thirty days, except
as to matters affecting jurisdiction, the validity of the
proceedings prescribed by the foregoing provisions of this chapter
and of the plan shall be conclusively presumed. Upon the expiration
of the thirty-day period, the agency may further proceed with the
redevelopment project or projects covered by the redevelopment
plan. Upon acquisition of the lands in the redevelopment project by
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the agency, the lands shall automatically be rezoned as to land use
in conformance with provisions of the approved redevelopment plan.
(c) Hearings and trial upon any issue raised in any action,
suit, or proceeding in any court involving the construction,
interpretation, or validity of this chapter, or involving the
legality or validity of any action taken or proposed to be taken
under or pursuant to this chapter, whether by way of injunction,
suit for declaratory judgment, submission on agreed statement of
facts, or otherwise, shall be given precedence in the trial courts
and, on appeal. An appeal to the intermediate appellate court,
subject to chapter 602, shall lie from any decision of any trial
court holding valid or invalid any provision of this chapter, or any
contract made or proposed, or other action taken or proposed to be
taken, under or pursuant to this chapter.
(d) Whenever the agency determines that a proposed
redevelopment project or an auxiliary redevelopment project
initiated pursuant to this chapter may be undertaken by the owners
of project lands therein or by developers of the owners as
effectively, expeditiously, and economically as if undertaken as a
public undertaking by the agency itself, then the redevelopment plan
for the project approved and adopted pursuant to this section shall
include a provision for the execution of the project by an
alternative method of private development thereof on the basis of an
agreement between the agency and the owners or developers and
imposing such requirements, restrictions, and sanctions as the
agency may deem necessary to effectuate the basic purposes of this
chapter and to assure the successful completion of the project by
private development.
If at any time after the initial adoption of the redevelopment
plan, the agency determines that a change in the plan is in the
public interest and in furtherance of the purpose of redevelopment,
the plan or any part thereof may be amended by following the same
procedure as set forth above for the adoption of the original plan.
[L 1949, c 379, pt of §4; am L 1951, c 244, pt of §3; am L 1955, c
271, §1(g); RL 1955, §143-7; am L 1959, c 63, §1 and c 214, §1; am L
1965, c 101, §1(f) and (g); HRS §53-6; am L 1987, c 337, §5(1); am L
1997, c 350, §14; am L 2004, c 202, §7; am L 2005, c 196, §26(a); am
L 2006, c 94, §1 and c 180, §16; am L 2010, c 109, §1]
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§53-7 Urban renewal projects in disaster areas.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, where the
council of a county certifies that an area within the county is in
need of renewal, redevelopment, or rehabilitation as a result of a
seismic wave, flood, fire, hurricane, earthquake, storm, volcanic
activity, explosion, or other catastrophe, natural or of human
origin (herein called "disaster area") respecting which the governor
of the State has certified the need for disaster assistance under
Public Law 875, Eighty-first Congress (64 Stat. 1109), or other
federal law, the council of a county may approve an urban renewal
plan and an urban renewal project with respect to the area without
regard to:
(1) The provisions of this chapter as follows: the definitions of "redevelopment area" and "urban
area" in section 53-1; the proviso of the first sentence of paragraph (4) of section 53-5; the
requirements for housing of displaced families, approval of the plan by planning commission, public
hearings and findings required by the county council prior to the approval of the plan as contained in
section 53-6, provided that the limitation of time in which to contest validity of the proceedings or of
the renewal plan provided in section 53-6 in the case of an urban renewal project for disaster areas
shall be twenty days instead of thirty days; the exceptions set forth in the second sentence of section
53-20; the proviso of the second sentence of section 53-21; and
(2) Any of the provisions of this chapter requiring public hearings or requiring that the urban
renewal plan conform to the master plan for the development of the county or locality as a whole, or
that the urban renewal area be a slum area, or a blighted, deteriorated, or deteriorating area, or that the
urban renewal area be predominantly residential in character or be developed or redeveloped for
residential use.
In the preparation, planning, financing, acquisition, and
disposal of real property, and the execution generally of an urban
renewal project for disaster areas, a redevelopment agency shall
have all of the rights, powers, privileges, and immunities conferred
upon the agency by this chapter including any amendment thereof or
addition thereto, or by any other law, in the same manner as though
all provisions of law relating to urban renewal projects were
applicable to the redevelopment and renewal of the disaster areas as
in this section provided, subject to the exceptions hereinabove set
forth. [L Sp 1960, c 5, §1; Supp, §143-7.1; HRS §53-7; am L 1987, c
283, §5; am L 1999, c 18, §1]
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§53-8 Acquisition of lands in redevelopment project. After
the redevelopment plan is officially approved by the council, or
after the thirty-day period has expired or, after the final
dismissal or determination of any action, suit or proceeding, if
filed (unless the determination holds that the proceedings with
reference to the redevelopment plan or the plan are invalid), the
redevelopment agency may proceed to acquire land in the
redevelopment project.
Private real property in an area, needed for a redevelopment
project, which is to be acquired pursuant to this part, may be
acquired by the agency by condemnation or otherwise, including any
property devoted to a public use, whether or not held in trust,
notwithstanding that the property may have been previously acquired
by condemnation or is owned by a public utility, it being hereby
expressly determined that the public use in conformity with this
part shall be deemed a superior public use; provided that real
property belonging to a public utility may not be acquired without
the approval of the public utilities commission or tribunal having
regulatory power over the public utility.
The council may consent to the condemnation of property owned
by the county, whether or not the property is held in trust, or may
sell or lease to an agency any such property necessary or convenient
for a redevelopment project, with or without right to assign or
sublease and without public bidding, provided published notice of a
meeting to consider the sale or lease is given and a public hearing
is held by the council before the action. The term of any such
lease shall not be limited by any provision of any other law
limiting the period of time during which a lease or any renewal
thereof may run.
An award of compensation shall not be increased by reason of
any increase in the value of the real property caused by the
assembly, clearance, or reconstruction, or proposed assembly,
clearance or reconstruction for the purposes of this part of the
real property in a redevelopment area.
A council, upon payment therefor or upon exchange for other
lands, or without consideration, may convey to an agency land owned
by the county in any street or public place which is duly closed or
discontinued pursuant to the plan of a redevelopment project.
Public lands or lands owned by any other agency or
instrumentality of the government, may, with the approval of the
governor, be transferred to an agency by the officer, agency, or
instrumentality authorized to convey the same upon payment therefor
or upon exchange for other lands, or without consideration,
notwithstanding any other law to the contrary.
The procedure upon condemnation by an agency shall be the same
as that prescribed by the laws of the State for condemnation by a
county except that the members of the agency shall be substituted
for the council whenever mentioned in the laws, and that the
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proceeding shall be brought and title shall be acquired in the name
of the agency.
In the event the improvements on any private real property
located in any proposed redevelopment area (1) are destroyed by
seismic wave, flood, fire, hurricane, earthquake, storm, volcanic
activity, explosion, or other catastrophe, natural or of human
origin, or (2) are declared by an appropriate state or local
authority to be unsafe or unfit for human use or habitation, or (3)
the owner or owners thereof are unable or unwilling to improve the
property in accordance with the land uses in the proposed
redevelopment plan and are willing to sell the property to the
agency, the agency may, any provision of law to the contrary
notwithstanding and in addition to any authority granted to it,
acquire the private real property in the proposed redevelopment area
by negotiated purchase from the owner or owners and undertake work
thereon as provided in section 53-9, upon authorization from the
council, by resolution of one reading to purchase the real property,
regardless of the stage of development of the redevelopment plan
therefor, whether or not the plan has been officially approved by
the council or the period of thirty days following the approval has
expired. The agency shall not sell, transfer, convey, or otherwise
dispose of the real property, except in connection with first
mortgages or other prior liens upon the real property to the federal
government for the purpose of securing loans or advances of money
made available to the agency, until the redevelopment plan is
approved by the council, but if the plan is not approved by the
council or is amended to exclude the acquired real property from the
redevelopment area or the redevelopment plan is abandoned for any
reason, the agency shall dispose of the real property, subject,
however, to any first mortgage or other prior lien of the federal
government upon the real property, by first offering the same to the
former owner or owners for repurchase at the same price paid by the
agency for the purchase thereof and if the owner or owners refuse or
fail within a reasonable time to exercise the right of repurchase,
then the same may be sold at public auction or in the manner
provided by law.
Pursuant to section 101-5, the agency may take and acquire any
right, interest, or estate less than a fee simple estate, which are
necessary for the undertaking and execution of an urban
redevelopment or renewal project and related activities under this
chapter, including the acquisition of air space rights and the
imposition of restrictions, covenants, and controls to assure the
development of a continued use of project property in accordance
with the redevelopment or renewal plan. [L 1949, c 379, pt of §4; am
L 1951, c 244, pt of §3; RL 1955, §143-8; am L Sp 1960, c 5, §2; am
L 1965, c 101, §1(h); HRS §53-8; gen ch 1993]
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§53-9 Work on acquired areas; competitive contracts. The
redevelopment agency may, by letting of contracts therefor, or by
using its own employees, clear the acquired areas and maintain and
repair or rehabilitate, but not reconstruct or enlarge, any
structure (except structures to be held and used by the government
for public purposes); provided that any work, the estimated cost of
which is in excess of $1,000, shall be let only in accordance with
chapter 103D. [L 1949, c 379, pt of §4; RL 1955, §143-9; HRS §53-9;
am L Sp 1993, c 8, §54]
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§53-10 Appraisal of lands of agency. At any time after the
approval of the redevelopment plan and before disposing of any of
its lands or properties, the redevelopment agency shall appoint one
or more, but not more than three competent persons to make
independent appraisals of the value of its property, based upon the
future use of the area under the redevelopment plan. The appraisals
shall serve only as a guide for the agency in determining a fair
price for the disposal of its land and property but need not be
adhered to in making the disposal, and shall become a public record
and subject to examination by any interested person after the
disposal. [L 1949, c 379, pt of §4; am L 1951, c 244, pt of §3; am L
1953, c 210, §3; RL 1955, §143-10; HRS §53-10]
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§53-11 Government instrumentalities to cooperate with agency.
For the purpose of aiding and cooperating in the planning,
undertaking, construction, or operation of redevelopment projects
located within the area in which it is authorized to act, any
instrumentality of the government, may upon such terms, with or
without consideration, as it may determine:
(1) Dedicate, sell, convey, or lease any of its property to a redevelopment agency;
(2) Cause parks, playgrounds, recreational, community, educational, water, sewer, or drainage
facilities or any other works which it is otherwise empowered to undertake, to be furnished adjacent
to or in connection with redevelopment projects;
(3) Furnish, dedicate, close, pave, install, grade, regrade, plan or replan streets, roads, roadways,
alleys, sidewalks, or other places which it is otherwise empowered to undertake;
(4) Enter into agreements (which may extend over any period, notwithstanding any provision or
rule of law to the contrary) with the federal government or any other public body or bodies respecting
action to be taken pursuant to any of the powers granted by this part, including the furnishing of funds
or other assistance in connection with projects being or to be undertaken pursuant to this part;
(5) Purchase or legally invest in any of the bonds of an agency and exercise all of the rights of any
holder of the bonds;
(6) Reimburse the agency for lands acquired and transferred or dedicated by the agency for public
purposes. [L 1949, c 379, pt of §4; am L 1955, c 271, §1(h); RL 1955, §143-11; HRS §53-11]
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§53-12 Sale and lease of acquired lands; preference. The
redevelopment agency shall sell or lease real property acquired by
it for a redevelopment project at its fair value for use in
accordance with the redevelopment plan notwithstanding the value may
be less than the cost of acquiring and preparing the property for
redevelopment. The property may be sold or leased to one or more
individuals, corporations, or public bodies or to a redevelopment
corporation under such limitations, restrictions, requirements, or
covenants as will insure its being developed and continued in use in
accordance with the redevelopment plan, and in a manner that will
best promote the interests and welfare of the urban area in which
the project is situated; provided that where a redevelopment
corporation is the purchaser or lessee, the contract or conveyance
shall include a statement of the tax exemption, if any, which will
be allowable under section 53-38, and any other terms necessary to
carry into effect the provisions of this part relating to
redevelopment corporations; provided further that before making a
contract to sell land in a project area planned for single family
residential development, the agency shall give published notice of
intention so to contract, or to sell the property, and within sixty
days after the first publication of the notice, any individual or
individuals, who owned land in the project area immediately before
acquisition thereof by the agency, shall be entitled to preference
in the purchase of one residential homesite therein; and provided
further that if the agency decides to lease any of the acquired
property, the following requirements and limitations shall apply:
(1) The minimum size of the lots to be leased shall be five thousand square feet.
(2) The lease term shall not be more than seventy-five years, and in the case of leases for single or
multiple residential sites involving federal financial assistance, for such longer term as may be
required.
(3) The lessee shall be given an option to purchase the leased property during the first twenty
years of the lease. During the balance of the term of the lease, the lessee shall have the first right of
refusal to purchase the leased property, provided that the leased property shall not be sold by the
agency to any person or corporation except to the lessee during the first twenty years of the lease. In
the event that the lessee shall not exercise the first right of refusal as set forth above, the agency may
sell the leased property to any person or corporation at fair value subject to the lease.
(4) The agency shall notify the council of its decision to lease the property. Within thirty days of
the notification, the council may disapprove the agency's decision to lease by an affirmative vote of
five of its members.
The agency shall enforce the limitations, restrictions,
requirements, and covenants throughout their duration by injunction,
or other action at law or in equity, or by any other appropriate
means. The limitations, restrictions, requirements, or covenants
shall have the effect of covenants running with the land for such
period and with such exceptions as may be provided in the deeds or
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contracts relating to such sale or leasing. In making the sale or
lease the agency shall impose and require among other things a
reasonable time limit for initiating construction of the
redevelopment project. [L 1949, c 379, pt of §4; am L 1951, c 244,
pt of §3; RL 1955, §143-12; am L 1959, c 44, §2; am L 1965, c 101,
§1(i); HRS §53-12]
Rules of Court
One form of action, see HRCP rules 1, 2, 81(i).
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§53-13 New constructions by agency. The redevelopment agency
may not erect new structures upon any of its property (except
structures to be held and used by the government for public
purposes), but, if it will promote the realization of the
redevelopment plan, it may grade, drain, construct streets, and
install necessary utilities such as sewers, water, and lights. [L
1949, c 379, pt of §4; RL 1955, §143-13; HRS §53-13]
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§53-14 Agency exempt from real property taxes. The
redevelopment agency shall be exempt from real property taxes upon
any of its land or buildings so long as title is held by it, but not
exceeding two years from the date of their acquisition; provided
that the tax exemption shall not apply to any land or structure from
which the agency is receiving an income. [L 1949, c 379, pt of §4;
RL 1955, §143-14; HRS §53-14]
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§53-15 Financial assistance of agency and office of urban
renewal coordinator; redevelopment fund. The redevelopment agency
may borrow and apply for and accept advances, loans, grants,
contributions, and any other form of financial assistance from the
federal, state, or county governments or other public body, or from
any sources, public or private, for purposes of this part, and may
give such security as may be required and may enter into and carry
out contracts in connection therewith. In the event that any
contract for federal assistance or any federal law or regulations
applicable thereto requires any action, practice, procedure, or
remedy to be undertaken by the agency in any urban renewal project
that is contrary to or conflicts with any state or local law, then
the federal requirements or provisions shall govern and prevail over
any provision of state or local law to the contrary. The foregoing
provision shall be liberally applied and construed as to any case of
conflicting federal and local requirements to the end that federal
financial assistance for any urban renewal project shall not be
hindered, impaired, or jeopardized. In fulfilling its duties the
agency may expend funds legally loaned, appropriated, or granted to
it by any agency of the government, funds received as gifts or
contributions, and funds received from the sale or use of its
properties. All moneys received by any agency shall be paid into
the treasury of the county to be held in a redevelopment fund,
hereby created, to the credit of the agency and shall be disbursed
upon warrants of the director of finance, based upon vouchers signed
by the chairperson or acting chairperson of the agency or any
subordinate of the agency duly authorized by it to sign the
vouchers.
The office of urban renewal coordinator shall submit in its
budget estimates of amount required for administrative expenses and
other costs of operation of the office of the urban renewal
coordinator to be appropriated from the redevelopment fund; provided
the amount to be appropriated for the purposes for any one year
shall not exceed the sum of $200,000; and provided further that the
estimates for the office of urban renewal coordinator shall have
first been approved by the mayor and the council. [L 1949, c 379, pt
of §4; am L 1951, c 244, pt of §3; RL 1955, §143-15; am L 1957, c
163, §2; am L 1959, c 226, §1; am L 1961, c 112, §2 and c 143, §1;
HRS §53-15; gen ch 1993]
Cross References
Urban renewal coordinator, generally, see §§53-55 to 53-59.
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§53-16 Bonds of agency. (a) A redevelopment agency may issue
bonds from time to time in its discretion for any of its corporate
purposes including the payment of principal and interest upon any
advances for surveys and plans for redevelopment projects. An
agency may also issue refunding bonds for the purpose of paying or
retiring or in exchange for bonds previously issued by it. An
agency may issue such types of bonds as it may determine, including
(without limiting the generality of the foregoing) bonds on which
the principal and interest are payable:
(1) Exclusively from the income, proceeds, and revenues of the redevelopment project financed
with the proceeds of the bonds; or
(2) Exclusively from the income, proceeds, and revenues of any of its redevelopment projects
whether or not they are financed in whole or in part with the proceeds of the bonds; provided that the
bonds may be additionally secured by a pledge of any loan, grant, or contributions, or parts thereof,
from the federal government or other source, or a mortgage of any redevelopment project or projects
of the agency.
(b) Neither the members of an agency nor any person executing
the bonds shall be liable personally on the bonds by reason of the
issuance thereof. The bonds and other obligations of the agency
(and such bonds and obligations shall so state on their face) shall
not be a debt of the county or the State and neither the county nor
the State shall be liable thereon, nor in any event shall such bonds
or obligations be payable out of any county or state funds or
properties other than those of the agency acquired for the purposes
of this part. The bonds shall not constitute an indebtedness within
the meaning of any debt limitation or restriction. Bonds of an
agency are declared to be issued for an essential public and
governmental purpose and to be public instrumentalities and,
together with interest thereon and income therefrom, shall be exempt
from all taxes.
(c) Bonds of an agency shall be authorized by its resolution
and may be issued in one or more series and shall bear such date or
dates, be payable upon demand or mature at such time or times, bear
interest at such rate or rates, as established by the legislative
bodies of the counties, be in such denomination or denominations, be
in such form either coupon or registered, carry such conversion or
registration privileges, have such rank or priority, be executed in
such manner, be payable in such medium of payment, at such place or
places, and be subject to such terms or redemption (with or without
premium) as the resolution, its trust indenture, or mortgage may
provide.
(d) The bonds shall be sold at not less than par at public
sale held after public notice given once at least ten days prior to
the sale in the county; provided that the bonds may be sold to the
federal government at private sale at not less than par, and, in the
event less than all of the bonds authorized in connection with any
project or projects are sold to the federal government, the balance
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of the bonds may be sold at private sale at not less than par at an
interest cost to the agency of not to exceed the interest cost to
the agency of the portion of the bonds sold to the federal
government.
(e) In case any of the members or officers of the agency whose
signatures appear on any bonds or coupons cease to be members or
officers before the delivery of the bonds, the signatures shall,
nevertheless, be valid and sufficient for all purposes, the same as
if the members or officers had remained in office until the
delivery. Any provision of any law to the contrary notwithstanding,
any bonds issued pursuant to this part shall be fully negotiable.
(f) In any suit, action, or proceedings involving the validity
or enforceability of any bond of an agency or the security therefor,
any bond reciting in substance that it has been issued by the agency
to aid in financing a redevelopment project, as herein defined,
shall be conclusively deemed to have been issued for the purpose and
the project shall be conclusively deemed to have been planned,
located, and carried out in accordance with the purposes of this
part.
(g) In connection with the issuance of bonds and in order to
secure the payment of the bonds or obligations, an agency, in
addition to its other powers, may:
(1) Pledge all or any part of its gross or net rents, fees, or revenues to which its right then exists or
may thereafter come into existence;
(2) Mortgage all or any part of its real or personal property, then owned or thereafter acquired;
(3) Covenant against pledging all or any part of its rents, fees, and revenues, or against
mortgaging all or any part of its real or personal property, to which its right or title then exists or may
thereafter come into existence or against permitting or suffering any lien on the revenues or property;
covenant with respect to limitations on its right to sell, or otherwise dispose of any redevelopment
project or any part thereof; and covenant as to what other, or additional debts or obligations may be
incurred by it;
(4) Covenant as to the bonds to be issued and as to the issuance of the bonds in escrow or
otherwise, and as to the use and disposition of the proceeds thereof; provide for the replacement of
lost, destroyed, or mutilated bonds; covenant against extending the time for the payment of its bonds
or interest thereon; and covenant for the redemption of the bonds and provide the terms and
conditions thereof;
(5) Covenant (subject to the limitations contained in this part) as to the amount of revenues to be
raised each year or other period of time by fees and other revenues, and as to the use and disposition
to be made thereof; create or authorize the creation of special funds for moneys held for operating
costs, debt service, reserves, or other purposes, and covenant as to the use and disposition of the
moneys held in the funds;
(6) Prescribe the procedure, if any, by which the terms of any contract with bondholders may be
amended or abrogated, the amount of bonds the holders of which must consent thereto, and the
manner in which the consent may be given;
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(7) Covenant as to the use, maintenance, and replacement of any or all of its real or personal
property, the insurance to be carried thereon, and the use and disposition of insurance moneys, and
warrant its title to the property;
(8) Covenant as to the rights, liabilities, powers, and duties arising upon the breach by it of any
covenant, condition, or obligation; and covenant and prescribe as to events of default and terms and
conditions upon which any or all of its bonds or obligations shall become or may be declared due
before maturity, and as to the terms and conditions upon which the declaration and its consequences
may be waived;
(9) Vest in any obligees of the agency the right to enforce the payment of the bonds or any
covenants securing or relating to the bonds; vest in any obligee or obligees holding a specified amount
in bonds the right, in the event of a default by the agency, to take possession of and use, operate and
manage any redevelopment project or any part thereof, title to which is in the agency, or any funds
connected therewith, and collect the rents and revenues arising therefrom and dispose of the moneys
in accordance with the agreement of the agency with the obligees; provide for the powers and duties
of the obligees and limit the liabilities thereof; and provide the terms and conditions upon which the
obligees may enforce any covenant or rights securing or relating to the bonds;
(10) Exercise all or any part or combination of the powers herein granted; make the covenants
(other than and in addition to the covenants herein expressly authorized) and do any and all such acts
and things as may be necessary or convenient or desirable in order to secure its bonds, or, in the
absolute discretion of the agency, as will tend to make the bonds more marketable notwithstanding
that the covenants, acts, or things may not be enumerated herein.
(h) An agency may by its resolution, trust indenture,
mortgage, or other contract confer upon any obligee holding or
representing a specified amount in bonds, the right (in addition to
all rights that may otherwise be conferred), upon the happening of
an event of default as defined in the resolution or instrument, by
suit, action, or proceeding in any court of competent jurisdiction:
(1) To cause possession of any redevelopment project or any part thereof, title to which is in the
agency, to be surrendered to the obligee;
(2) To obtain the appointment of a receiver of any redevelopment project of the agency or any part
thereof, title to which is in the agency, and of the rents and profits therefrom. If the receiver is
appointed, the receiver may enter and take possession of, carry out, operate, and maintain the project
or any part thereof and collect and receive all fees, rents, revenues, or other charges thereafter arising
therefrom, and shall keep the moneys in a separate account or accounts and apply the same in
accordance with the obligations of the agency as the court shall direct; and
(3) To require the agency and the commissioners, officers, agents, and employees thereof to
account as if it and they were the trustees of an express trust.
(i) An obligee of an agency shall have the right in addition
to all other rights which may be conferred on the obligee, subject
only to any contractual restrictions binding upon the obligee:
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(1) By appropriate action to compel the agency and the members, officers, agents, or employees
thereof to perform each and every term, provision, and covenant contained in any contract of the
agency with or for the benefit of the obligee, and to require the carrying out of any or all the
covenants and agreements of the agency and the fulfillment of all duties imposed upon the agency by
this part; and
(2) By appropriate action to enjoin any acts or things which may be unlawful, or the violation of
any of the rights of the obligee of the agency. [L 1949, c 379, pt of §4; am L 1951, c 244, pt of §3; RL
1955, §143-16; HRS §53-16; am L 1968, c 43, §2; am L 1981, c 79, §1; gen ch 1985; am L 1998, c 2,
§20]
Case Notes
Mentioned: 903 F. Supp. 2d 1037 (2012).
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§53-17 Bonds of agency to be legal investments. Bonds issued
by a redevelopment agency in connection with one or more
redevelopment plans or redevelopment projects pursuant to this part
shall be legal investments and security for public deposits to the
same extent and for the same public officers and bodies, political
subdivisions, persons, companies, corporations, associations, banks,
institutions, and fiduciaries as bonds or obligations issued by the
Hawaii housing finance and development corporation under chapter
201H in connection with slum clearance and housing projects. [L
1949, c 379, pt of §4; RL 1955, §143-17; HRS §53-17; am L 1987, c
337, §5(2); am L 2005, c 196, §26(b); am L 2006, c 180, §16; am L
2007, c 249, §10]
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§53-18 Investment of funds. A redevelopment agency may invest
any of its funds not required for immediate disbursement in
securities which constitute legal investments under state laws
relating to investment of trust funds by trust companies, including
those authorized by article 8 of chapter 412. [L 1949, c 379, pt of
§4; RL 1955, §143-18; HRS §53-18; am L 1993, c 350, §2]
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§53-19 Report. Each redevelopment agency shall make an annual
report of its receipts, expenditures, and activities, and of its
proposed program and estimated cost thereof for the ensuing year to
the council of its county, before August 1 as of the end of the
preceding fiscal year. [L 1949, c 379, pt of §4; am L 1955, c 271,
§1(i); RL 1955, §143-19; am imp L 1965, c 166, §§1, 2; HRS §53-19]
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§53-20 Auxiliary redevelopment area. Where a redevelopment
agency finds:
(1) That there is a shortage of decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the county;
(2) That the provision of decent, safe, and sanitary dwelling accommodations on undeveloped
vacant land, not within a blighted area, is necessary to accomplish the relocation of families to be
displaced from blighted areas which are to be redeveloped or displaced from disaster areas as defined
in this chapter; and
(3) That the acquisition of a particularly described area of the undeveloped vacant land
(hereinafter called an "auxiliary redevelopment area"), suitable for development for predominantly
residential uses and so characterized in the master plan, is essential to the proper clearance or
redevelopment of blighted or disaster areas or a necessary part of the general program for clearance or
redevelopment of blighted or disaster areas in the county;
then, subject to the conditions hereinafter stated, the acquisition,
planning, preparation for development, or disposal of such auxiliary
redevelopment area shall constitute a redevelopment project which
may be undertaken by the agency in the manner provided by this
part. The procedure for the preparation, submission, and the final
approval, amendment and approval, or disapproval, of the
redevelopment project, and subsequent proceedings with respect
thereto, shall be the same, as nearly as may be, as in the case of
other redevelopment projects, except that:
(1) The council shall not approve such plan or project unless it shall by resolution, concur in every
finding of the agency required by this section and also find that the auxiliary redevelopment area will
be developed for predominantly residential uses; and
(2) The requirement of a finding that the redevelopment project is in a blighted area prescribed by
section 53-6 shall not be applicable. [L 1951, c 244, pt of §3; RL 1955, §143-20; am L Sp 1960, c 5,
§3; am L 1965, c 101, §1(j); HRS §53-20]
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§53-21 Auxiliary redevelopment area; displaced persons. Where
the redevelopment agency of a county finds:
(1) That there is a shortage of decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the county;
(2) That the provision of decent, safe, and sanitary housing for rent or dwelling units for sale is
necessary to accomplish the relocation of families displaced or to be displaced from areas acquired by
governmental agencies for public purposes or displaced from disaster areas as defined by this chapter;
and
(3) That the acquisition of a fee or leasehold interest of a particularly described area in a county
(hereinafter also called an auxiliary redevelopment project), suitable for development for
predominantly residential uses and so characterized in the master plan, is essential to provide for the
development of housing facilities at rents the displaced families can afford or of dwelling units at
prices the displaced families can pay,
then the planning, acquisition, preparation for development or
disposal of the auxiliary redevelopment area shall constitute a
redevelopment project which may be undertaken by the agency in the
manner provided by this chapter.
The procedure and exceptions set forth in section 53-20 shall
apply to any projects; provided that pursuant to section 101-5, the
agency may take and acquire any estate less than a fee simple estate
in lands whenever it appears that the purposes of this section shall
be best achieved and promoted by the taking.
Where the redevelopment plan for the project makes provision
for the development of housing facilities for rent, the agency shall
sell, lease, or sublease the land or the completed development to
qualified developers or nonprofit sponsors for use in accordance
with the redevelopment plan. The sale, lease, or sublease shall be
made at a fair value reflecting the restrictions imposed on
developers and covenants running with the project land, including
restrictions on rent ceilings and modification thereof which the
agency may impose by regulation for a period up to thirty years for
the development in order to achieve private ownership and operation
of the properties at a reasonable profit while providing for rentals
which displaced families can afford.
Where the redevelopment plan for the project makes provision
for the subdivision and development of the land for single family
dwelling units for sale to the displaced families, the agency shall
sell the land or the completed development to qualified developers
or nonprofit sponsors for development and use in accordance with the
redevelopment plan. The sale shall be made at a fair value
reflecting the restrictions imposed on developers and covenants
running with the project lands to limit the price of sale thereof,
the prices which displaced families can afford while permitting
developers a reasonable profit therefrom, and preventing speculative
resale thereof by purchasers and their assigns.
All developers of auxiliary redevelopment projects authorized
by this section shall be entitled to claim exemption or relief from
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taxes as provided by section 53-38 for all project lands and
improvements providing for housing facilities for rent to families
displaced from public projects or from disaster areas. [L 1957, c
101, §1; am L 1959, c 45, §1; am L Sp 1960, c 5, §4; am 1965, c 101,
§1(k); Supp, §143-20.1; am L 1967, c 168, §1; HRS §53-21; am L 1974,
c 137, §1]
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§53-22 Governmental advances, donations, and other
appropriations. (a) The governor shall submit to the legislature
at each regular session in an odd-numbered year, estimates of the
amount reasonably required in the governor's judgment for
administrative expenses and overhead of agencies concerned with the
administration of this part, together with other amounts deemed
necessary by the governor for state contributions for redevelopment
projects, for the succeeding fiscal biennium, so that the
legislature may make appropriations therefor if it deems the action
advisable.
(b) Any county within which a redevelopment project is located
or is about to be located may from time to time make loans,
donations, or advances to the local redevelopment agency of such
sums as in its discretion it may determine, the loans, advances, or
donations to be made for the purpose of aiding or cooperating in the
prosecution of the redevelopment project. The local agency, when it
has money available therefor, shall reimburse the county for all
advances made by way of a loan to it. For the purpose of raising
funds for donation to an agency, any county within which a
redevelopment project is located may issue and sell its bonds. Any
bonds to be issued by the county pursuant to this section shall be
issued in the manner and within the limitation prescribed by the
laws of the State for the issuance and authorization of bonds for
public purposes generally.
(c) In order to qualify for the allotment and expenditure of
funds appropriated by the State under this section, for any
redevelopment project or for assistance to a local redevelopment
agency, the county shall make funds available to the agency in
amounts at least equal to the funds granted or contributed, or to be
granted or contributed, by the State. The council may make funds
available for any of the purposes (including studies by the planning
commission to determine and recommend for redevelopment blighted
areas, and other activities of the planning commission under this
part) of this part (whether or not state funds shall be available
for any of such purposes) out of any moneys in the general fund of
the county, and may include necessary amounts therefor in
determining the real property tax rate for the county. The amount
which, pursuant to this subsection, is included in determining the
real property tax rate for the county, shall be paid into the
redevelopment fund of the county for expenditure by the agency for
the purposes of this part.
(d) All state appropriations made under this section shall be
allocated to the respective redevelopment agencies upon the basis of
actual need therefor, or as otherwise provided by law.
(e) The governor shall submit to the legislature at each
regular session in an odd-numbered year, estimates of the amount of
additional appropriation necessary in the governor's judgment for
use by the Hawaii housing finance and development corporation in the
succeeding fiscal biennium, in providing living facilities necessary
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to care for families displaced or to be displaced by redevelopment
projects, so that the legislature may make appropriations therefor
if it deems the action advisable. [L 1949, c 379, §5; am L 1951, c
244, §4; am L 1955, c 271, §1(j); RL 1955, §143-21; am L Sp 1957, c
1, §15(b); am L Sp 1959 1st, c 13, §2; am L 1963, c 142, §10 and c
193, §39; HRS §53-22; am L 1979, c 105, §8; gen ch 1985; am L 1987,
c 337, §5(3); am L 1997, c 350, §14; am L 2005, c 196, §26(b); am L
2006, c 180, §16]
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§53-23 Redevelopment corporations; how created. A
redevelopment corporation may be created in the manner provided by
the general corporation laws with the following additional
requirements and special limitations to be included in the articles
of association:
(1) The name of the proposed corporation, which name shall include the words "redevelopment
corporation" or "redevelopment company."
(2) The purposes for which it is to be formed which shall include the following: To acquire by
purchase one or more areas under a plan or plans, and to construct, own, maintain, operate, sell, and
convey projects pursuant to the terms and provisions of the Urban Redevelopment Act.
(3) The amount of the capital stock, and if any is preferred stock, the preference thereof.
(4) The number of shares of which the capital shall consist, all of which shall have a par value.
(5) The county and locality therein in which its principal business office is to be located.
(6) Its duration, which shall not be less than thirty-five years.
(7) The number of directors, which shall not be less than three and who need not be stockholders.
(8) The names and post office addresses of the directors for the first year.
(9) The names and post office addresses of the subscribers to the capital stock and a statement of
the number of shares of stock which each agrees to take in the redevelopment corporation.
(10) A provision that if income debenture certificates are issued by the redevelopment corporation
the owners thereof may be given the same right to vote as they would have if possessed of certificates
of stock of the amount and par value of the income debenture certificates held by them. If provision
is made for the issuance of income debenture certificates, interest shall be paid by the redevelopment
corporation on income debenture certificates only out of net earnings of the corporation that would be
applicable to payment of dividends if there were no income debentures.
(11) A provision that, so long as the provisions of this part regulating redevelopment corporations
remain applicable to any project of the redevelopment corporation, the real property of the
corporation shall not be sold, transferred, leased, mortgaged, assigned, or otherwise disposed of,
except as permitted by the terms and provisions of this part.
(12) A declaration that the redevelopment corporation has been organized to serve a public
purpose and that it shall be and remain subject to the supervision and control of the agency except as
provided in this part, so long as the provisions of this part regulating redevelopment corporations
remain applicable to any project of the redevelopment corporation; that all real and personal property
acquired by it and all structures erected by it, shall be deemed to be acquired or created for the
promotion of the purposes of this part.
(13) A declaration that, after providing for all expenses, taxes, and assessments, there shall be paid
annually out of the earnings of the redevelopment corporation, after providing for all expenses, taxes,
assessments, and depreciation on improvements, or, in the case of a lease, for amortization, a sum
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equal to but not exceeding eight per cent of the total actual final cost of the projects as defined by
[paragraph] (2) of section 53-32; that the obligation in respect of the payments shall be cumulative,
and any deficiency in interest, amortization, depreciation, and dividends in any year shall be paid
from the first available earnings in subsequent years; and that any cash surplus derived from earnings
remaining in the treasury of the redevelopment corporation in excess of the amount necessary to
provide the cumulative annual sums shall, upon dissolution of the corporation, be paid into the
redevelopment fund of the agency.
(14) A declaration that, upon the dissolution of the corporation pursuant to subsection (a) of
section 53-36, the property may be conveyed in fee as provided in the subsection.
(15) A declaration that mortgage indebtedness, income debenture certificates, and stock of the
redevelopment corporation may be retired if, as, and when there shall be funds available for
amortization purposes in the treasury of the redevelopment corporation. [L 1949, c 379, §6; am L
1951, c 244, §5; am L 1955, c 271, §1(k), (l); RL 1955, §143-22; HRS §53-23; am L 1983, c 167,
§17; am L 1985, c 270, §4]
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§53-24 Consent of agency to incorporation of redevelopment
corporations. If any articles of association of a redevelopment
corporation are presented to the state director of commerce and
consumer affairs, the director shall not file the articles unless a
certificate of the consent of the redevelopment agency accompanies
the same. No certificate of amendment of the articles of
association, or certificate of increase or decrease or change in par
value of the capital stock, of a development corporation shall be
filed by the director unless a certificate of the consent of the
agency of the county in which the project is located accompanies the
same. [L 1949, c 379, §7; RL 1955, §143-23; am L Sp 1959 2d, c 1,
§15; am L 1963, c 114, §3; HRS §53-24; am L 1982, c 204, §8; am L
1983, c 124, §17; gen ch 1985]
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§53-25 Application of other corporation laws. All provisions
of the general corporation laws, not inapplicable and not
inconsistent with the provisions of this part shall apply to
redevelopment corporations. If any action with respect to which the
holders of income debentures shall have the right to vote is
proposed to be taken, then notice of any meeting at which the action
is proposed to be taken shall be given to the holders in the same
manner and to the same extent as if they were stockholders entitled
to notice of and to vote at the meeting, and any certificate filed
pursuant to law with the state director of commerce and consumer
affairs with respect to any action, whether taken with or without
meeting, and any affidavit required by law to be annexed to the
certificate, shall contain the same statements or recitals and the
certificate shall be subscribed and acknowledged, and the affidavit
shall be made, in the same manner as if the holders were
stockholders holding shares of an additional class of stock entitled
to vote on the action or with respect to the proceedings provided
for in the certificate. [L 1949, c 379, §8; RL 1955, §143-24; am L
Sp 1959 2d, c 1, §15; am L 1963, c 114, §3; HRS §53-25; am L 1982, c
204, §8; am L 1983, c 124, §17]
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§53-26 Powers of redevelopment corporations. Each
redevelopment corporation shall have and may exercise such of the
powers conferred by the general corporation laws as are necessary in
conducting the business of a redevelopment corporation and
consistent with this part. [L 1949, c 379, §9; RL 1955, §143-25; HRS
§53-26]
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§53-27 Limited return on investment. Subject to section 53-36,
there shall be paid annually out of the earnings of the
redevelopment corporation, after providing for all expenses, taxes,
assessments, and depreciation in improvements, or, in the case of a
lease, for amortization, a sum for interest and dividends not
exceeding eight per cent of the total actual final cost of the
project as defined by [paragraph] (2) of section 53-32. The
obligation in respect of the payments shall be cumulative, and any
deficiency in interest and dividends in any year shall be paid from
the first available earnings in subsequent years; and any cash
surplus derived from earnings remaining in the treasury of the
redevelopment corporation in excess of the amount necessary to
provide the cumulative annual sums shall, upon dissolution of the
corporation, be paid into the redevelopment fund of the county in
which the project lies. [L 1949, c 379, §10; am L 1951, c 244, §6;
RL 1955, §143-26; am L 1959, c 44, §3; HRS §53-27]
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§53-28 Consideration for issuance of stocks and bonds. No
redevelopment corporation shall issue stock, bonds, or income
debenture certificates except for money or property actually
received for the use and lawful purposes of the redevelopment
corporation. No stock, bonds, or income debenture certificates
shall be issued for property except upon a valuation approved by the
redevelopment agency and the valuation shall be used in computing
actual or estimated cost. [L 1949, c 379, §11; RL 1955, §143-27; HRS
§53-28]
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§53-29 Minimum amount of stock and debentures. Except as
provided in this section the stock and income debenture certificates
issued by the redevelopment corporation shall in no event be less
than the total of ten per cent of the total actual final cost, as
defined in [paragraph] (2) of section 53-32, of any project or
projects undertaken pursuant to this part. The redevelopment agency
may permit stock or income debenture certificates to be issued for
working capital to be used in connection with the project to an
amount not exceeding five per cent of the estimated cost, or five
per cent of the total actual final cost, if that should exceed the
estimated cost of a project. [L 1949, c 379, §12; RL 1955, §143-28;
am L 1959, c 96, §1; HRS §53-29]
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§53-30 Income debentures. With the approval of the
redevelopment agency, the articles of association, or amended
articles, may authorize the issuance of income debenture
certificates bearing no greater interest than six per cent a year.
The income debenture certificates and any instrument under which
they are issued may contain other provisions, including provisions
for amortization by serial maturities, through the operation of a
sinking fund or otherwise, which may be approved by the agency. [L
1949, c 379, §13; RL 1955, §143-29; HRS §53-30]
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§53-31 Mortgages and mortgage bonds. Any redevelopment
corporation, subject to the approval of the redevelopment agency,
may borrow funds and secure the repayment thereof by bond and
mortgage or by an issue of bonds under a trust indenture. Each
mortgage or issue of bonds of a redevelopment corporation shall
relate only to a single specified project and to no other and the
bonds shall be secured by mortgage upon all of the real property of
which the project consists. First lien bonds of the redevelopment
corporation when secured by a mortgage not exceeding ninety per cent
of the estimated cost prior to the completion of the project, or
ninety per cent of the appraised value or actual cost, but in no
event, in excess of ninety per cent of the total actual final cost,
after the completion, as certified by the agency, are hereby
declared securities in which all public officers and bodies of the
State, all political subdivisions of the State, all insurance
companies and associations, all savings banks and savings
institutions, including savings and loan associations, personal
representatives, guardians, trustees, and all other persons and
fiduciaries in the State may properly and legally invest the funds
within their control and available for investment under other
provisions of law. The bonds so issued and secured and the mortgage
or trust indenture relating thereto, may create a first or senior
lien and a second or junior lien upon the real property embraced in
any project; provided that the total mortgage liens shall not exceed
ninety per cent of the estimated cost prior to the completion of the
project, or ninety per cent of the appraised value or actual cost,
but in no event in excess of ninety per cent of the total actual
final cost after the completion, as certified by the agency. Where
there are first and second mortgage liens upon the property embraced
in a project, only the first or senior lien thereon shall be deemed
a security in which the officer, bodies, subdivisions, corporations,
associations, and fiduciaries, may invest the funds within their
control. The bonds and mortgages may contain such other clauses and
provisions as are approved by the agency, including the right to
assignment of rents and entry into possession in case of default;
but the operation of the redevelopment project in the event of the
entry by mortgage or receiver shall be subject to regulations
promulgated by the agency. Provisions for the amortization of the
bonded indebtedness of corporations formed under this part shall be
subject to the approval of the agency. So long as funds made
available by the federal government or by instrumentality thereof or
any mortgage or mortgage bonds, insured by the federal housing
administrator or any other instrumentality of the federal government
are used in financing, in whole or in part, any project under this
part, the proportionate amount of the cost of the lands and
improvements to be represented by mortgages or bonds shall be
entirely in the discretion of the agency, and all restrictions as to
the amounts to be represented by mortgages or bonds shall be
inapplicable to the projects or to redevelopment corporations
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undertaking the projects, except that the bonds and mortgages
covering any project shall not exceed the total actual final cost of
such project as defined in [paragraph] (2) of section 53-32.
Interest rates on mortgage indebtedness shall not exceed such
rates to be approved by the agency. [L 1949, c 379, §14; RL 1955,
§143-30; am L 1959, c 96, §2; HRS §53-31; am L 1976, c 200, pt of
§1]
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§53-32 Limitations. In addition to limitations prescribed by
this part a redevelopment corporation shall not have power to:
(1) Acquire any real property or interest therein for a project or projects unless the redevelopment
agency determines as provided in this part that the acquisition is necessary or convenient for the
public purpose defined in this part.
(2) Issue its stock, debentures, and bonds covering any project undertaken by it in an amount
greater in the aggregate than the total actual final cost of the project. The actual cost of the project
shall include the cost of the lands and improvements constituting the project and charges for planning,
financing, and supervision approved by the supervising agency, condemnation charges and interest
and other carrying charges during the period of acquisition and of construction. The total actual final
cost shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the actual cost plus an allowance for working capital.
The allowance for working capital shall not exceed an amount equal to five per cent of the estimated
cost or of the total actual final cost of the project if that shall be greater than the estimated cost.
(3) Enter into contracts for the payment of salaries to officers or employees, or for the
construction or for the substantial repair, improvement, or operation of projects, except subject to the
approval of the agency. [L 1949, c 379, §15; RL 1955, §143-31; HRS §53-32]
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§53-33 Advances by redevelopment corporation. A redevelopment
agency may enter into a contract with a redevelopment corporation at
any time after approval of a redevelopment plan whereby the
corporation will pay or agree to pay an agreed sum or sums, or such
sums as may be necessary, to be expended by the agency in the
acquisition or clearing, or both, of real property for a
redevelopment project, under such terms as are satisfactory to the
agency; provided that no contract may obligate the agency to refund
any portion of the sums so paid except such portion as may remain
unexpended after the acquisition or clearing, or both. The contract
may include an agreement to sell or lease property subject to sale
or lease covered by the redevelopment project to the redevelopment
corporation after acquisition and clearing of the land in the
project. [L 1949, c 379, §16; am L 1951, c 244, §7; RL 1955, §143-
32; am L 1959, c 44, §4; HRS §53-33]
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§53-34 Regulation of redevelopment corporations. The
redevelopment agency shall examine each redevelopment corporation
and keep informed as to its general condition, its capitalization,
and the manner in which its property is constructed, leased,
operated, or managed with respect to its compliance with all
provisions of law and orders of the agency.
The agency may:
(1) Either itself or through its inspectors or employees, duly authorized by it, enter in or upon and
inspect the property, equipment, buildings, plants, offices, apparatus, and devices of any
redevelopment corporation; examine all books, contracts, records, documents, and papers of any
redevelopment corporation and by subpoena duces tecum compel the production thereof. At the
request of the agency the state commissioner of financial institutions shall assist in examination of the
books, contracts, records, documents, and papers and report thereon to the agency;
(2) In its discretion, prescribe uniform methods and forms of keeping accounts, records, and books
to be observed by redevelopment corporations, and after a hearing prescribe by order accounts in
which particular outlays and receipts shall be entered, charged, or credited;
(3) Require specific answers to questions upon which it may desire information and require the
filing of periodic reports in the form, covering the period, and at the time prescribed by it;
(4) In the deed or contract selling or leasing property in a redevelopment project to any other
person or corporation, reserve such of the powers hereinabove mentioned as are appropriate and
necessary or proper to effectuate the requirements of this chapter. [L 1949, c 379, §17; am L 1951, c
244, §8; RL 1955, §143-33; am L 1959, c 44, §5; HRS §53-34; am L 1985, c 269, §55]
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§53-35 Transfer of title or foreclosure of project. Until the
expiration of thirty-five years from the date of acquisition of
property of or in a redevelopment project by a redevelopment
corporation, it shall not have power to sell the property or any
interest therein without the consent of the redevelopment agency.
Upon acquisition of the project by any person, firm, or corporation
other than another redevelopment corporation, by lease or sale, or
upon the initiation of foreclosure proceedings any tax exemption or
partial tax exemption granted to the project shall immediately
terminate. [L 1949, c 379, §18; RL 1955, §143-34; HRS §53-35]
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§53-36 Dissolution. (a) After termination of any tax
exemption granted pursuant to section 53-38, whether by expiration
or by any other cause, or if prior thereto the redevelopment
corporation elects to pay to the county the total of (1) all accrued
taxes for which the exemption was granted and received, (2) interest
at the rate of five per cent a year thereon, and (3) any additional
amount with or without interest, not exceeding five per cent a year,
prescribed in the contract between the redevelopment agency and the
corporation as a condition precedent to the enjoyments of the
privileges granted by this section, the redevelopment corporation
may voluntarily dissolve, and title to the project may be conveyed
in fee to the owner or owners of its capital stock or to any
corporation designated by it or them for the purpose, or the
redevelopment corporation may be dissolved and reconstituted
pursuant to appropriate laws relating to the formation and conduct
of corporations, after providing, in any case, for the payment of
all current operating expenses, taxes, indebtedness and all accrued
interest thereon, and the par value of and accrued dividends on the
outstanding stock of the redevelopment corporation. If, after
making the provision and after the conveyance of the project, a cash
surplus remains in the treasury of the redevelopment corporation,
the cash surplus shall, upon dissolution, be paid into the
redevelopment fund of the county. After the dissolution and
conveyance or the reconstitution, any tax exemption granted to the
redevelopment corporation pursuant to section 53-38 shall cease and
terminate, and the provisions of this part regulating redevelopment
corporations only shall become and be inapplicable to the project.
(b) If prior to the expiration of the thirty-five-year period
the project is sold for any reason, the redevelopment corporation
shall dissolve and any tax exemption granted to the redevelopment
corporation pursuant to section 53-38 shall cease and terminate. In
such case the stockholders and income debenture certificate holders
shall in no event receive more than the par value of their stock and
the face value of their income debenture certificates with accrued
and unpaid dividends or interest upon such stock and income
debenture certificates, and any remaining surplus shall be paid into
the redevelopment fund of the agency.
(c) In no event shall a redevelopment corporation be
voluntarily dissolved unless provision is made for the payment in
full of the remaining balance of principal and interest due or
unpaid upon any mortgage on its property or any part thereof, but
any project may, with the consent of the agency, be conveyed and
transferred to the agency subject to the mortgage and accrued
interest.
(d) Unless the agency consents to the voluntary dissolution of
a redevelopment corporation, the corporation shall not dissolve
except in accordance with subsections (a) and (b) of this section or
upon the expiration of the period of corporate existence as fixed by
its articles.
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(e) The contract with the agency may contain such other
provisions for the dissolution of the redevelopment corporation as
may be deemed advisable, not inconsistent with the provisions of
this section.
(f) Upon dissolution as provided in this section, the
provisions of this part regulating redevelopment corporations only
shall become and be inapplicable to the project and its owner or
owners.
(g) Nothing in this section shall have the effect of releasing
the successors in interest of the redevelopment corporation from
covenants, conditions, restrictions, and limitations running with
the land and not appropriate solely to a redevelopment corporation.
[L 1949, c 379, §19; RL 1955, §143-35; HRS §53-36]
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§53-37 Participation by certain corporations. One or more
insurance companies may organize, or cause to be organized, a
redevelopment corporation formed pursuant to the provisions of this
part, and purchase for cash or receive and hold in exchange for
property, and own and control, the stock or the income debenture
certificates or both of any redevelopment corporation and may also
invest, singly or jointly, in a bond and first mortgage or in an
issue of bonds secured by mortgage or trust indenture constituting a
first lien upon any project as provided in this part. An insurance
company, however, which owns stock or income debenture certificates
of a redevelopment corporation and also owns bonds or a bond and
mortgage or an interest in a bond and mortgage of the same
redevelopment corporation shall not, without the consent of the
agency, sell all or any part of the bonds or the bond and mortgage
or of its interest in the bond or mortgage unless it shall
simultaneously sell the stock and the income debenture certificates
owned by it.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, an insurance
company owning all or a part of the stock of a redevelopment
corporation may enter into contracts contemplated by this part and
agree by contract with the redevelopment agency not to sell, assign,
or otherwise transfer the stock, income debentures, or mortgage
bonds of the redevelopment corporation during the period of tax
exemption provided for by the contract pursuant to this part without
the consent of the agency. The insurance company may make such
capital contributions to the redevelopment corporation, in cash or
by cancellation of securities or otherwise, as may be necessary to
enable the redevelopment corporation to comply with all conditions
precedent to its dissolution and conveyance of its property in
accordance with subsection (a) of section 53-36, and upon
dissolution of the redevelopment corporation, acquire the project
and own and operate the same as a permanent investment for such
period as it or they may deem desirable either directly or through
acquisition and ownership of the capital stock of any corporation
which may acquire title to the project pursuant to subsection (a) of
section 53-36.
Except as specifically provided herein this part shall not be
deemed to limit or restrict any power or authority granted to
insurance companies or to any other corporation or to any fiduciary
by any other provision of law. [L 1949, c 379, §20; RL 1955, §143-
36; HRS §53-37]
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§53-38 Tax exemption. Where and so long as the major portion
of a redevelopment project of a redevelopment corporation is
composed of residential units and the rents for the residential
units are reasonable as compared with prevailing rental levels for
comparable accommodations, the land and improvements in the project
shall be exempted (1) for ten years from the date of acquisition of
such project by the redevelopment corporation, from real property
taxes, other than assessments for local improvements in excess of
the total real property taxes paid upon the land and improvements
for the year prior to the commencement of proceedings by the agency
for the acquisition of the lands and improvements; and (2) for the
next succeeding fifteen-year period following such ten-year period,
from real property taxes on fifty per cent of the assessed valuation
of the property and improvements; provided that:
(A) Where the cost of acquisition of the land and improvements in the redevelopment project by
the redevelopment corporation is at least ninety per cent of the cost of acquisition, clearing and
improvement of the land and improvements by the redevelopment agency, the tax exemption granted
under clause (1) of this section shall be for fifteen years from the date of acquisition of the project by
the redevelopment corporation, with no further exemption thereafter, except that, if the net earnings
from the project for the last five of the fifteen-year period, above expenses, taxes, assessments, and
depreciation or amortization (as provided in section 53-27), available for payment of interest and
dividends, shall be less than three per cent of the total actual final cost of the project (as defined by
[paragraph] (2) of section 53-32), then the tax exemption granted under this proviso (A) shall be
extended for an additional ten years; and
(B) No such tax exemption shall be allowed for any land and improvements which are used for
commercial, industrial, or any other nonresidential purposes. [L 1949, c 379, §21; am L 1951, c 244,
§9; am L 1955, c 271, §1(m); RL 1955, §143-37; am L 1959, c 44, §6; HRS §53-38]
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§53-39 No limitation of provisions by implication. No
provision in this part applicable specially or only to a
redevelopment corporation shall be construed to limit by implication
the applicability of this part or any other provision thereof to any
other person or corporation. [L 1949, c 379, §23; RL 1955, §143-38;
HRS §53-39]
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PART II. URBAN RENEWAL
§53-51 Urban renewal projects. In addition to its authority
under any other section of this chapter, a redevelopment agency may
plan and undertake urban renewal projects within urban areas. As
used in this chapter, an urban renewal project may include
undertakings and activities for the elimination (and for the
prevention of the development or spread) of slums, or other
blighted, or deteriorated, or deteriorating areas and may involve
any work or undertaking for the purpose constituting a redevelopment
project or any rehabilitation or conservation work or a program of
code enforcement, or any combination of such undertaking or work.
For this purpose, "rehabilitation or conservation work" may include
(1) carrying out plans for a program of voluntary or compulsory
repair and rehabilitation of buildings or other improvements; (2)
acquisition of real property and demolition, removal, or
rehabilitation of buildings and improvements thereon where necessary
to eliminate unhealthful, unsanitary, or unsafe conditions, lessen
density, reduce traffic hazards, eliminate obsolete or other uses
detrimental to the public welfare, or to otherwise remove or prevent
the spread of blight or deterioration, or to provide land for needed
public facilities; (3) installation, construction, or reconstruction
of streets, utilities, parks, playgrounds, and other improvements
necessary for carrying out the objectives of the urban renewal
project; and (4) the disposition, for uses in accordance with the
objectives of the urban renewal project of any property or part
thereof acquired in the area of the project; provided that the
disposition shall be in the manner prescribed in this chapter for
the disposition of property in a redevelopment project area under
part I. [L 1955, c 271, pt of §1; RL 1955, §143-51; am L 1965, c
101, §1(m); HRS §53-51]
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§53-52 Urban renewal plan. Any urban renewal project
undertaken pursuant to section 53-51 shall be undertaken in
accordance with an urban renewal plan for the area of the project.
As used in this chapter, an "urban renewal plan" means a plan, as it
exists from time to time, for an urban renewal project, which plan
(1) shall conform to the master plan for the county as a whole; or
if there is no master plan for the county as a whole, then to the
master plan for the urban area as a whole of which the urban renewal
project area constitutes a part; and (2) shall be sufficiently
complete to indicate such land acquisition, demolition, and removal
of structures, redevelopment, improvements, and rehabilitation as
may be proposed to be carried out in the area of the urban renewal
project, zoning and planning changes, if any, land uses, maximum
densities, building requirements, and the plan's relationship to
definite local objectives respecting appropriate land uses; improved
traffic, public transportation, public utilities, recreational and
community facilities, and other public improvements. An urban
renewal plan shall be prepared and approved pursuant to the same
procedure as provided in this chapter with respect to a
redevelopment plan, except as specifically provided in this part. [L
1955, c 271, pt of §1; RL 1955, §143-52; HRS §53-52]
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§53-53 Powers with respect to urban renewal. A redevelopment
agency shall have all the powers necessary or convenient to
undertake and carry out all urban renewal plans and urban renewal
projects, including the authority to acquire and dispose of
property, to issue bonds and other obligations, to borrow and accept
grants from the federal government or any other source, and to
exercise the other powers which this chapter confers on an agency
with respect to redevelopment projects. For the purposes of this
part in connection with the planning and undertaking of any urban
renewal plan or urban renewal project, the agency, the county, and
all public and private officers, agencies, and bodies shall have all
the rights, powers, privileges, and immunities which they have with
respect to a redevelopment plan or redevelopment project, in the
same manner as though all of the provisions of part I of this
chapter applicable to a redevelopment plan or redevelopment project
were therein expressly made applicable to an urban renewal plan or
urban renewal project; and for such purposes as used in part I and
in this part elsewhere than in this section, except where the
context clearly indicates such meaning to be inappropriate or as
otherwise expressly provided in this section:
(1) The word "redevelopment" (elsewhere than in section 53-1) means "urban renewal";
(2) The word "slum" and the word "blighted" (elsewhere than in section 53-1) mean "blighted,
deteriorated, or deteriorating";
provided (A) that nothing in this part shall be deemed to change the
meaning of the terms "local redevelopment agency" or "agency," or
the corporate name of any local redevelopment agency; and (B) that
the finding by the council that the project area is a blighted area
prescribed by section 53-6 shall not be required.
In addition to the surveys and plans which an agency otherwise
may make, an agency may make (1) plans for carrying out a program of
voluntary repair and rehabilitation of buildings and improvements,
and (2) plans for the enforcement of laws, codes, and regulations
relating to the use of land and the use and occupancy of buildings
and improvements, and to the compulsory repair, rehabilitation,
demolition, or removal of buildings and improvements. The agency
may develop, test, and report methods and techniques, and carry out
demonstrations and other activities, for the prevention and the
elimination of slums and other urban blight. [L 1955, c 271, pt of
§1; RL 1955, §143-53; HRS §53-53; am L 1999, c 18, §2]
Cross References
For definition of "agency, the county" in first paragraph, see
§53-83(17).
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§53-54 Assistance to urban renewal by counties and other
public bodies. Any county or other public body may (without
limiting any provision in section 53-53) do any and all things
necessary to aid and cooperate in the planning and undertaking of an
urban renewal project in the area in which the county or public body
is authorized to act, including the furnishing of such financial and
other assistance as the county or public body is authorized by this
chapter to furnish for or in connection with a redevelopment plan or
redevelopment project. A redevelopment agency may delegate to a
county or other public body any of the powers or functions of the
agency with respect to the planning or undertaking of an urban
renewal project in the area in which the county or public body is
authorized to act, and the county or public body may carry out or
perform such powers or functions for the agency. Any public body
may enter into agreements (which may extend over any period,
notwithstanding any provision or rule of law to the contrary) with
any other public body or bodies respecting action to be taken
pursuant to any of the powers granted by this part, including the
furnishing of funds or other assistance in connection with an urban
renewal plan or urban renewal project. [L 1955, c 271, pt of §1; RL
1955, §143-54; HRS §53-54]
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§53-55 Urban redevelopment coordinator, office created. In
any county which shall, by resolution adopted in the manner required
by law for an ordinance, announce its intention to devise and adopt
a "workable program" for urban renewal, pursuant to this chapter,
the county may by ordinance create the office of urban renewal
coordinator. [L 1955, c 271, pt of §1; RL 1955, §143-55; HRS §53-55]
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§53-56 Workable program, definition. "Workable program" means
a program (including an official plan of action, as it exists from
time to time for effectively dealing with the problem of urban slums
and other blighted, deteriorated, or deteriorating areas within the
community and for the establishment and preservation of a well-
planned community with well-organized residential neighborhoods of
decent homes and suitable living environment for adequate family
life) for utilizing appropriate private and public resources to
eliminate, and prevent the development or spread of, slums and other
urban blight and deterioration, to encourage needed urban
rehabilitation, to provide for the redevelopment of slum or other
blighted, or deteriorated, or deteriorating areas or to undertake
such of these activities or other feasible activities as may be
suitably employed to achieve the objectives of the program. [L 1955,
c 271, pt of §1; RL 1955, §143-56; HRS §53-56]
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§53-57 Coordinator, appointment, term, removal. The urban
renewal coordinator, hereinafter called the "coordinator" shall be
appointed by the mayor of the county, with the approval of the
council for a term of four years, at a salary fixed by ordinance but
not less than the lowest compensation paid any of the county cabinet
officers provided for by the Honolulu Charter, in the case of the
city and county of Honolulu, or by section 62-1, in the case of any
other county. The office of coordinator shall not be subject to any
law relating to civil service or classification. The coordinator
shall be removed only for cause by the mayor of the county with the
approval of the council, after a hearing at which the coordinator
shall be afforded a reasonable opportunity to be heard. [L 1955, c
271, pt of §1; RL 1955, §143-57; HRS §53-57; gen ch 1985]
Note
Section 62-1 referred to in text is repealed.
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§53-58 Coordinator, qualifications. In order to be qualified
for appointment as coordinator, the appointee:
(1) Shall be a citizen of the State with at least three years' residence in the county of the
appointee's appointment;
(2) Shall have at least five years of high level administrative experience;
(3) Shall have a minimum of five years, or have professional status, in a technical field related
directly to urban renewal activities (such as experience in city planning; public administration, real
estate brokerage, salesmanship, or management; housing research or surveys; the practice of law or
engineering involving a very substantial experience in matters relating to land, and the like);
(4) Shall have a good working knowledge of local governmental programs relating to the
improvement of housing and neighborhood conditions;
(5) Shall be a person of good reputation and proven ability in maintaining harmonious relations
with people. [L 1955, c 271, pt of §1; RL 1955, §143-58; HRS §53-58; gen ch 1985]
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§53-59 Coordinator, duties and powers. The coordinator shall
among other things:
(1) Prepare and submit to the council data and recommendations necessary or proper to enable the
council to adopt a workable program best calculated to meet the requirements of this chapter and the
needs of the county in relation to the workable program.
(2) Prepare and submit to the council from time to time additional data and recommendations for
improving and rendering more effective and efficient the workable program and its operation.
(3) Consult with any department, board, commission, agency, entity, or officer of the State or any
political subdivision thereof, or of the government of the United States, and with any other persons,
firms, corporations, or private entities which might be affected by the workable program, or might
contribute to the successful operation of the same, and make recommendations to the council and to
them for coordinating their functions and operations to the extent feasible in order to integrate all
related activities into a unified program best calculated to achieve the objectives of urban renewal as
set forth in this chapter and in the laws of the United States relating to urban renewal.
(4) Perform such functions and activities as may be necessary or proper for coordinating the
activities or carrying out the workable program as adopted or amended from time to time by the
council, and perform such other related functions and activities as may be granted or authorized to be
delegated to the coordinator by the council pursuant to this chapter.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the
council may grant to the coordinator duties and powers concurrent
with those of other county departments, boards, commissions,
agencies, or officers, necessary or proper, in the judgment of the
council, to enable the coordinator to achieve the most effective
coordination of the activities in the operation of the workable
program; but nothing in this chapter shall be deemed to impair or
reduce the authority or jurisdiction of any existing department,
board, commission, agency, or officer. [L 1955, c 271, pt of §1; RL
1955, §143-59; am L 1959, c 226, §2; am L 1961, c 112, §3; HRS §53-
59; gen ch 1985]
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§53-60 Ordinance relating to repair, closing, and demolition
of dwellings unfit for human habitation. (a) Whenever any county
finds that there exists in urban areas in the county dwellings which
are unfit for human habitation due to dilapidation, defects
increasing the hazards of fire, accidents, or other calamities, lack
of ventilation, light or sanitary facilities, or due to other
conditions, including those set forth in subsection (c) hereof,
rendering the dwelling unsafe or unsanitary, or dangerous or
detrimental to the health, safety, or welfare, or otherwise inimical
to the welfare of the residents of the county, power is hereby
conferred upon the county to require or cause the repair, closing or
demolition or removal of the dwellings in the manner herein
provided. A "dwelling" means any building, or structure, or part
thereof, used and occupied for human habitation or intended to be so
used, and includes any appurtenances belonging thereto or usually
enjoyed therewith.
(b) Upon the adoption of an ordinance finding that dwelling
conditions of the character described in subsection (a) hereof exist
within a county, the council may adopt ordinances relating to the
dwellings within the county which are unfit for human habitation.
The ordinances shall include the following provisions except as
otherwise provided by chapter 91:
(1) That a public officer be designated or appointed to exercise powers prescribed in the
ordinance, and that a board of appeals be created to conduct hearings prescribed hereinafter and
setting forth the qualifications, the manner of appointment and term of office of its members.
(2) That whenever a petition is filed with the public officer by at least five residents of the county
charging that any dwelling is unfit for human habitation or whenever it appears to the public officer
(on the public officer's own motion) that any dwelling is unfit for human habitation, the public officer
shall, if the public officer's preliminary investigation discloses a basis for the charges, issue and cause
to be served upon the owner, every mortgagee of record, and all parties in interest in the dwelling
(including persons in possession) a complaint stating the charges in that respect. Such complaint shall
contain a notice that a hearing will be held before the board of appeals at a place therein fixed not less
than ten days nor more than thirty days after the serving of the complaint; that the owner, mortgagee,
and parties in interest shall be given the right to file an answer to the complaint and to appear in
person or otherwise, and give testimony at the place and time fixed in the complaint; and that the rules
of evidence prevailing in courts of law or equity shall not be controlling in hearings before the board
of appeals.
(3) That the board of appeals may administer oaths, affirmations, examine witnesses and receive
evidence, and that if, after such notice and hearing, the board of appeals determines that the dwelling
under consideration is unfit for human habitation it shall state in writing its findings of fact in support
of the determination and shall issue and cause to be served upon the owner thereof an order which,
(A) If the repair, alteration, or improvement of the
dwelling can be made at a reasonable cost in relation
to the value of the dwelling (the ordinance of the
county shall fix a certain percentage of the cost as
being reasonable for the purpose), requires the
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owner, within the time specified in the order, to
repair, alter, or improve the dwelling to render it
fit for human habitation or to vacate and close the
dwelling as a human habitation; or
(B) If the repair, alteration, or improvement of the
dwelling cannot be made at a reasonable cost in
relation to the value of the dwelling (the ordinance
of the county shall fix a certain percentage of the
cost as being reasonable for the purpose), requires
the owner, within the time specified in the order, to
remove or demolish the dwelling.
(4) That, if the owner fails to comply with an order to repair, alter, or improve or to vacate and
close the dwelling, the public officer may cause the dwelling to be repaired, altered, or improved, or
to be vacated and closed.
(5) That, if the owner fails to comply with an order to remove or demolish the dwelling, the public
officer may cause the dwelling to be removed or demolished.
(6) That the amount of the cost of the repairs, alterations, or improvements, or vacating and
closing, or removal or demolition by the public officer shall be a lien against the real property upon
which the cost was incurred. If the dwelling is removed or demolished by the public officer the
public officer shall sell the materials of the dwelling and shall credit the proceeds of the sale against
the cost of the removal or demolition and any balance remaining shall be deposited with the clerk of
the circuit court of the circuit in which the county is situated, by the public officer, shall be secured in
such manner as may be directed by the court, and shall be disbursed by the court to the persons found
to be entitled thereto by final order or decree of the court.
(c) An ordinance adopted by a county pursuant to this section
shall provide that the public officer or the board of appeals may
determine that a dwelling is unfit for human habitation if it is
found that conditions in such dwelling which are dangerous or
injurious to the health, safety, or welfare of the occupants of such
dwelling, the occupants of neighboring dwellings, or other residents
of such county, or which have a blighting influence on properties in
the area. The conditions may include the following, without
limitation: defects therein increasing the hazards of fire,
accident or other calamities; lack of adequate ventilation, light,
or sanitary facilities; dilapidation; disrepair; structural defects;
uncleanliness; overcrowding; inadequate ingress and egress;
inadequate drainage; or any violation of health, fire, building or
zoning regulations, or any other laws or regulations relating to the
use of land and the use and occupancy of buildings and improvement.
Such ordinance may provide additional standards to guide the public
officer or the public officer's agents or employees or the board of
appeals in determining the fitness of a dwelling for human
habitation.
(d) Complaints or orders issued pursuant to an ordinance
adopted under this section shall be served upon persons either
personally or by registered mail, but if the whereabouts of the
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persons is unknown and the same cannot be ascertained by the public
officer in the exercise of reasonable diligence, and the public
officer makes an affidavit to that effect, then the serving of the
complaint or order upon the persons may be made by publishing the
same once each week for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper printed
and published in the county, or, in the absence of such newspaper,
in one printed and published in the State and circulating in the
county in which the dwellings are located. A copy of the complaint
or order shall be posted in a conspicuous place on the premises
affected by the complaint or order. A copy of the complaint or
order shall also be filed with the registrar of conveyances or, in
the case of registered land (but excluding a leasehold time share
interest), with the assistant registrar of the land court as
provided in section 501-136, and the filing of the complaint or
order shall have the same force and effect as other lis pendens
notices provided by law.
(e) Any person affected by an order issued by the board of
appeals may petition the circuit court for an injunction restraining
the public officer from carrying out the provisions of the order and
the court may, upon such petition, issue a temporary injunction
restraining the public officer pending the final disposition of the
cause, provided that the petition is filed within sixty days after
the posting and service of the order of the board of appeals.
Hearings shall be held by the court on such petitions within twenty
days, or as soon thereafter as possible, and shall be given
preference over other matters on the court's calendar. The court
shall hear and determine the issues raised and shall enter a final
order or decree in the proceeding. In all the proceedings the
findings of the board of appeals as to the facts, if supported by
evidence shall be conclusive. Costs shall be in the discretion of
the court. Except as otherwise provided in chapter 91, the remedies
herein provided shall be exclusive remedies and no person affected
by an order of the board of appeals shall be entitled to recover any
damages for action taken pursuant to any order of the board of
appeals, or because of compliance by the person with any order of
the board of appeals.
(f) An ordinance adopted by the council may authorize the
public officer to exercise such powers as may be necessary or
convenient to carry out and effectuate the purposes and provisions
of this section, including the following powers in addition to
others herein granted:
(1) To investigate the dwelling conditions in the county in order to determine which dwellings
therein are unfit for human habitation;
(2) To enter upon premises for the purpose of making examinations, provided that the entries shall
be made in such manner as to cause the least possible inconvenience to the persons in possession, and
to obtain an order for this purpose from a court of competent jurisdiction in the event entry is denied
or resisted;
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(3) To appoint and fix the duties of such officers, agents, and employees as the public officer
deems necessary to carry out the purposes of such ordinance;
(4) To delegate any of the public officer's functions and powers under the ordinance to such
officers, agents, and employees as the public officer may designate.
(g) The council adopting an ordinance under this section shall
as soon as possible thereafter prepare an estimate of the annual
expenses or costs to provide the equipment, personnel, and supplies
necessary for periodic examinations and investigations of the
dwellings in the county for the purpose of determining the fitness
of the dwellings for human habitation, and for the enforcement and
administration of its ordinance or ordinances adopted under this
section.
(h) Nothing in this section shall be construed to abrogate or
impair the powers of the courts or of any department of any county
or the State to enforce any provisions of its charter or its
ordinances or regulations, nor to prevent or punish violations
thereof; and the powers conferred by this section shall be in
addition and supplemental to the powers conferred by any other law.
(i) Nothing in this section shall be construed to impair or
limit in any way the power of the county or of the department of
health of the State to define and declare nuisances and to cause
their removal or abatement, by summary proceedings or otherwise. [L
1955, c 271, pt of §1; RL 1955, §143-60; am L Sp 1959 2d, c 1, §19;
am L 1965, c 96, §90; HRS §53-60; am L 1970, c 55, §1; gen ch 1985;
am L 1998, c 219, §2]
Cross References
Service by certified mail, see §1-28.
Case Notes
Notice of hearing must be given to person in possession. 61 H.
156, 598 P.2d 168.
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§53-61 REPEALED. L 1968, c 56, §4.
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[PART III.] EXERCISE OF URBAN RENEWAL
POWERS BY A COUNTY DIRECTLY
[§53-81] County may exercise urban renewal powers directly.
As an alternative to either the creation under section 53-2 of an
agency in a county or the continued existence of an agency
theretofore created in the county under said section, a county,
rather than through such agency, may directly exercise as provided
in this part the powers conferred upon an agency by parts I and II
of this chapter. In the event that an agency does not then exist in
the county, the determination by a county to exercise such powers
directly rather than through such an agency shall be made by
ordinance of the council. In the event that an agency does then
exist in the county, the charter of the county shall provide for the
abolition of the agency and for the transfer of the powers, duties
and functions of the agency to an officer or department of the
county, and the agency shall stand abolished as provided in the
charter. Upon such determination or abolition, as the case may be,
the county shall then possess all powers granted to a county by this
part. [L 1974, c 123, pt of §2]
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[§53-82] Abolition of existing agency. In the event of the
abolition of an agency in the county, the county upon such abolition
shall succeed to all the powers, rights, duties, functions, funds,
properties and obligations of the agency. However, as to any
obligations of the agency existing at the time of the abolition, the
county shall not incur any greater liability than that of the agency
at the time of such abolition. The county shall not be liable for
such obligations out of any funds or properties of the county other
than those funds and properties which would have been required to be
applied to the satisfaction of such obligations had such abolition
not occurred.
If any of the obligations of the agency constitute bonds or
other indebtedness of the agency, the county shall carry out and
perform all promises, covenants, contracts and agreements of the
agency contained in such bonds or other indebtedness or in the
resolution, trust agreement, mortgage or other proceeding or
instrument providing for the issuance, payment and security of such
bonds or other indebtedness, and shall maintain such funds and
accounts as are required for such purpose or as are required by such
bonds, other indebtedness, resolution, trust agreement, mortgage,
proceeding or instrument. The provisions of the last paragraph of
section 53-85 shall be applicable to such bonds or other
indebtedness. [L 1974, c 123, pt of §2]
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[§53-83] Powers of county. Any county which pursuant to
section 53-81 shall directly rather than through an agency exercise
the powers conferred upon an agency by parts I and II of this
chapter shall have all powers granted to an agency under such parts,
and the provisions of such parts shall be applicable to the county
in the exercise of such powers as though the county constituted an
agency thereunder. However, the preceding provisions of this
paragraph shall be subject to the following:
(1) The county shall exercise such powers in its own name and shall not be required to use the
words "redevelopment agency" in such exercise.
(2) The provisions of section 53-2, being inappropriate where the county directly carries out the
purposes of this chapter, shall not be applicable.
(3) The provisions of section 53-3 shall apply to the members of the council and to the elected and
appointed officials and the employees of the county administering or performing the functions of the
county under this part or responsible for such administration or performance.
(4) The provisions of section 53-4 shall not be applicable to the county. In lieu thereof removal of
members of the council and of the elected and appointed officials and the employees of the county
administering or performing any of the functions of the county under this part shall be as provided in
the charter of the county or in other laws.
(5) The provisions of paragraph (3) of section 53-5 shall not apply to the county. In lieu thereof
the county shall appoint such personnel as provided by or in accordance with the charter of the county
or other laws.
(6) The words "redevelopment agency" and "agency" where used in the first and second
paragraphs and the first sentence of the third paragraph of section 53-6 shall mean the officer or
department of the county to which or whom is assigned the performance of the duties and functions of
the county under this part, and amendments made pursuant to said section by the board to a
redevelopment plan shall not be required to be approved by such officer or department.
(7) The provisions of the third, fifth and seventh paragraphs of section 53-8, being inappropriate
to the carrying out by the county directly of the purposes of this chapter, shall not be applicable.
(8) The county shall possess all powers granted by section 53-11 to an instrumentality of the
government with the same force and effect as though the county were not directly performing the
functions of an agency under this chapter.
(9) The bonds referred to in paragraph (5) of section 53-11 shall include bonds issued by the
county to carry out the purposes of this chapter.
(10) Any lease proposed to be entered into under the provisions of section 53-12 which has been
authorized by the council need not thereafter be submitted to the council for its approval or
disapproval.
(11) The provisions of section 53-14 shall be inapplicable. The county may provide for payments
to the county in lieu of taxes or for the supplying by the county of governmental services.
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(12) Borrowings by the county pursuant to section 53-15 and the issuance by the county of bonds
pursuant to section 53-16 shall be subject to the provisions of section 53-84.
(13) The provisions of section 53-18 shall not be applicable. In lieu thereof any funds of the
county arising out of the exercise of its functions under this part shall be invested in accordance with
the provisions of law applicable to the investment of other moneys of the county.
(14) The provisions of section 53-19 shall not be applicable. In lieu thereof the county shall
include in its annual financial report a report of its receipts, expenditures and activities under this
chapter for the year to which such annual report pertains, and shall include in its annual budget or
budgets its proposed program under this chapter and the estimated cost thereof for the year to which
such budget or budgets pertain.
(15) The approval by the council of any plan or project authorized in section 53-20 shall not
require any concurrency, including by the officer or department administering or performing the
functions of the county under this part.
(16) The provisions of [subsection] (b) of section 53-22 shall be inapplicable; provided that
nothing in this subparagraph shall be deemed to prohibit the county from advancing for the purposes
of this part moneys other than redevelopment moneys or funds, or from reimbursing itself from
redevelopment moneys or funds so advanced, or from issuing its bonds as provided in this part.
(17) The words the "agency, the county" where used in the second sentence of section 53-53 shall
mean and refer to the county.
(18) The second sentence of section 53-54 shall be construed as meaning that the county may
delegate to any other public body any of the powers or functions of the county with respect to the
planning or undertaking of an urban renewal project in the area in which such public body is
authorized to act, and such other public body may carry out or perform such powers or functions for
the county. [L 1974, c 123, pt of §2]
Revision Note
"Section 53-84" in paragraph (12) substituted for "the next
section of this part".
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§53-84 Incurring of indebtedness by the county. For the
purpose of carrying out its powers, duties, and functions under this
part, including for the payment of principal and interest upon any
advances for moneys and plans for redevelopment projects, the county
may:
(1) Borrow and apply for and accept advances and loans; provided that unless the obligation of the
county to repay such advances or satisfy such loans is limited to the revenues derived by the county
from an undertaking as defined in section 53-85, the incurring by the county of any such indebtedness
shall be carried out under and pursuant to chapter 47;
(2) Issue its bonds under and pursuant to chapter 47, including, without limiting the foregoing, for
the refunding of bonds issued by an agency of the county abolished as provided in section 53-81 and
the refunding of bonds issued by the county under paragraph (3); and
(3) Issue its bonds under and pursuant to section 53-16, all of the provisions of which shall be
applicable to such bonds and to the county in the issuance thereof except as follows:
(A) Such bonds shall be issued only for the purpose of
carrying out the powers, duties, and functions of the
county under this part, including, without limiting
the foregoing, the refunding of bonds issued by the
county under this paragraph or paragraphs (1) and (2)
or the refunding of bonds issued by an agency of the
county abolished as provided in section 53-81;
(B) The principal of and interest on such bonds shall be
payable and secured solely as provided in section 53-
16(a)(1) and (2), and in no event shall be payable
from the general fund of the county or from taxes or
from any other funds or properties of the county
other than those referred to in such paragraphs (1)
and (2), nor shall such bonds be secured by the full
faith and credit of the county or the general fund or
the taxing power of the county;
(C) Neither the council nor any officer or employee of the
county nor any person executing the bonds shall be
liable personally on the bonds by reason of the
issuance thereof;
(D) The bonds shall be limited obligations of the county
payable and secured solely as provided in
subparagraph (B) and shall so state on their face;
(E) The words "members" or "officers" where used in
section 53-16(e) shall mean members of the council
and officers of the county; and
(F) The words "rents", "fees", and "revenues" where used
in section 53-16(g) shall mean and include only those
rents, fees, and revenues derived by the county from
its activities under this part; the words "real or
personal property" and "property" where used in
section 53-16(g) shall mean only the real or personal
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property held by the county for the purposes of this
chapter and shall not include real or personal
property held for other public uses and purposes,
such as streets, parks, public buildings, publicly-
owned utilities, and the like; and the word "bonds"
where used in section 53-16(g) shall mean bonds of
the county issued under section 53-16(g) as
incorporated into this part and the bonds of any
agency of the county abolished as provided in section
53-81. [L 1974, c 123, pt of §2; am L 1987, c 283,
§6; am L 1988, c 141, §8]
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[§53-85] Projects to constitute "undertakings"; revenues to
include certain federal moneys; imposition of rates and charges. In
the event of the exercise by a county of the powers granted in this
part, each redevelopment project of the county, two or more
redevelopment projects of the county if administered as a single
project, or all of the redevelopment projects of the county if
administered as an entity, shall constitute an undertaking of the
county. For all purposes of this part and of chapters 47 and 47C,
the term "revenues" shall mean the moneys derived from the rates and
charges imposed for the use and services of the undertaking or
otherwise derived by the county from its ownership or operation of
the undertaking, exclusive of taxes and payments made to the county
for services separate and apart from this chapter but inclusive of
amounts paid by the federal government for payment, or reimbursement
of payment by the county, of costs of operation, maintenance and
repair of an undertaking, for payment, or reimbursement of payment
by the county, of principal of or interest on bonds issued for an
undertaking, or for any other purpose connected with an undertaking.
Whenever and for so long as there shall be outstanding bonds
issued by the county under section 53-16 as incorporated in this
part or issued under said section by an agency of the county
abolished as provided in this part, the county shall impose rates
and charges for the use and services of the undertaking, from the
revenues derived from which such bonds are payable or for which such
bonds were issued, sufficient to pay the costs of operation,
maintenance and repair of the undertaking and to pay the principal
of and interest on such bonds. The county shall deposit such
revenues in a special fund and apply the same to such payments in
the amount necessary therefor. [L 1974, c 123, pt of §2]
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