THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	130
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

 

 

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, STATE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL COMMISSION, AND HAWAII PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS NETWORK TO DEVELOP A PLAN TO COMMISSION A NEW STUDY SUGGESTING UPDATES TO THE SCHOOL IMPACT FEE FORMULA AND DIFFERENTIATING THE LAND REQUIREMENTS FOR GREENFIELD DEVELOPMENT AND REDEVELOPMENT OF URBAN AREAS.

 

 

     WHEREAS, new residential developments within identified school impact districts create additional demand for public school facilities; and

 

     WHEREAS, a study commissioned by the State has identified the land dedication requirement that is consistent with proportionate fair-share principles and the net capital cost of school facilities, excluding land costs, that is consistent with proportionate fair-share principles; and

 

     WHEREAS, section 302A-1601, Hawaii Revised Statutes, requires new residential developments within designated school impact districts to provide land for schools or pay a fee in lieu of land proportionate to the impacts of the new residential development on existing school facilities; and

 

     WHEREAS, the East Kapolei, University of Hawaii-West Oahu, West Loch, Waipahu, Leeward Community College, Pearl Highlands, Pearlridge, and Halawa Makai rail stations are located in the Leeward Oahu School Impact Fee District; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Department of Education is analyzing the impact rail stations will have in urban Honolulu from the Middle Street Station to the Ala Moana Station; and

 

     WHEREAS, land dedication for public school facilities over large acreages of land is no longer feasible along the rail transit route; and

 

     WHEREAS, transit-oriented development presents a unique opportunity to redevelop public school buildings or construct new public school buildings; and

 

     WHEREAS, rail transit will provide opportunities for greenfield development around Leeward Oahu rail stations and redevelopment of urban areas; and

 

     WHEREAS, designing new urban schools vertically, similar to other city architecture, will allow the Department of Education, State Public Charter School Commission, and Hawaii Public Charter Schools Network to engage in public-private partnerships that will decrease the cost of new facilities and maintenance; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-eighth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2015, that the Department of Education, State Public Charter School Commission, and Hawaii Public Charter Schools Network are requested to develop a plan to commission a new study for the purposes of suggesting updates to the school impact fee formula and differentiating land requirements for greenfield development and redevelopment of urban areas; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education, State Public Charter School Commission, and Hawaii Public Charter Schools Network are requested to establish criteria for identifying appropriate locations for vertical school development; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that vertical school development is not limited to construction of a new Department of Education school, but may also include the use of space in a privately owned building; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education, State Public Charter School Commission, and Hawaii Public Charter Schools Network submit a report of their findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2016; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the report include any appropriation request necessary for the completion of the study; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Superintendent of Education, Executive Director of the State Public Charter School Commission, and Executive Director of the Hawaii Public Charter Schools Network.

Report Title: 

Department of Education; School Impact Fees; Transit-Oriented Development; State Public Charter School Commission; Hawaii Public Charter Schools Network