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October 1974

November 1974

Candidates' Fair
Calendar
President's Notes (Diane Hastert)
Units
Voters' Guide
Action Alert
Workshop for Discussion Leaders and Recorders
Action Alley
Neighborhood Commission
Transportation
Report from the Hill
Convention '74 - Keynote Address (Lucy Wilson Benson)
Planning & Land Use - pull-and-save for Oct. Units

Planning & Land Use - pull-and-save for Oct. Units

GOAL OF UNITS: Discuss procedures for step-by-step unit action on land use, planning and zoning issues

HOW LWV ACTION TAKES PLACE:

  1. A position is arrived at through study, discussion and consensus. For National statements, National Board approves; for State, State Board and for Honolulu, local board.

  2. Amplifications and explanations of positions are made so leaguers can address specific issues and influence public policies.

ACTION BASED ON LWV PRINCIPLES:

The 1974 Convention of the League of Women Voters authorized action by local, state and national Leagues on the basis of League principles. Since the principles evolved from and incorporate former League positions, this authorization for action does not constitute a radical departure from action on all program positions.

"The League of Women Voters believes in representative government and in the individual liberties established in the Constitution of the United States.

"The League of Women Voters believes that democratic government depends upon the informed and active participation of its citizens and requires that governmental bodies protect the citizen’s right to know by giving adequate notice of proposed actions, holding open meetings and making public records accessible.

"The League of Women Voters believes that every citizen should be protected in his right to vote; that every person should have access to free public education which provides equal opportunity for all; and that no person or group should suffer legal, economic or administrative discrimination.

"The League of Women Voters believes that efficient and economical government requires competent personnel, the clear assignment of responsibility, adequate financing and coordination among the different agencies and levels of government.

"The League of Women Voters believes that responsible government should be responsive to the will of the people; that government should maintain an equitable and flexible system of taxation, promote the conservation and solution of economic and social problems which affect the general welfare, promote a sound economy and adopt domestic policies which facilitate the solution of international problems.

"The League of Women Voters believes that cooperation with other nations is essential in the search for solutions to world problems, and that the development of international organization and international law is imperative in the promotion of world peace.

ACTION BASED ON PROGRAM:

The League program for study and action is adopted at National, State, and Honolulu meetings to indicate issues on which focus for study or action will be made. Land use and planning related program items are:

I. NATIONAL:

  1. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY Cat in LWV "shorthand)

  2. HUMAN RIGHTS ("HR")

II. STATE

  1. LAND USE ("LU")

  2. HOUSING.

III. HONOLULU:

PLANNING

BACKGROUND INFORMATION YOU WILL NEED

I. Location and size of area; physical characteristics: Topography, soil, water, air, plants and animals.

II. Public plans and policies:

Land Use District (Urban, Agriculture, Conservation)

County General Plan and Detailed. Land Use Map (if any) designations County zoning (Residential, Resort, etc.)

Other: State and county plans in particular functional areas such as recreation, open space, parks. (Be aware that such plans may not have been adopted as public policy by state or local legislative bodies.)

Whether public services required have been incorporated in State and County Capital Improvement Programs (CIP's)

Federal Programs; e.g., Coastal Zone Management.

III. Present and proposed use of area including population density/intensity of use.

IV. Public facilities already available; e.g., highways, roads, sidewalks, street lighting, sewers, drains.

GUIDELINES FOR UNIT CONSIDERATION OF SPECIFIC PROPOSALS FOR LANL USE, PLANING AND ZONING

I. SOME "BASICS"

  1. LWV is not a single-issue organization. In our national land use study, as well as on. the state and local levels, we are looking for ways to balance human needs for housing, jobs and education with the need to care for and improve our physical environment.

  2. LWV does not support or oppose particular kinds of uses. We attempt to consider the effect of a particular use on a particular piece of land.

  3. Unless legally enforceable, verbal commitments by developers or government to do certain things such as provide jobs or low-cost housing might be viewed with skepticism.

  4. Comprehensive planning includes social, economic, environmental, administrative; financial and- physical factors and their interrelationships. It doesn't neglect the broader. picture of regional, island-wide, and statewide implication.

II. SOME "SPECIFICS"

NOTE: Full Statements of positions excerpted below should be referred to before proposing action.

  1. Population: Size, rate of growth, socio-economic makeup.

    LWV does not have a position. For "optimum population' size and distribution. A resolution was adopted at the 1973 State Convention recognizing concern for population impact on State study items.

    The State Land Use Consensus called for decisions on consistent and coordinated policies to guide Hawaii's development and joint policy decisions :c.-1 the area of "controlled growth."

  2. Quality of Physical Environment: Air, water, noise, visual aspects, hazards (flood, landslide, etc.)

    The National Position indicates: ...achieve a physical environment beneficial to life, including improvement of water and air quality, promotion of wise use of water resources...

  3. Housing: Income level served; economic mix; relocation of displaced persons; pattern of living.

    National Positions under Education, Employment, and Housing as amplified indicate: Support of equal access to housing. Criteria for implementation include: Income assistance and/or subsidized housing; economic integration; sound land use policies.

    State Consensus Jan. 1973 included: "Mobilize to provide adequate living conditions at reasonable cost..." Programs to increase the supply of low and moderate income homes and bring costs in line with ability to pay are called for. Priority is for homes for those who need them, not second homes, and to discourage housing speculation. Allowance for individual patterns of living and variety and range of choices are incorporated.

  4. Public Services: Water, sewers, utilities, street lights, fire stations, police stations, roads, highways, parks, recreational facilities: Available? Developer will provide? In Capital Improvement Programs? Needed for proposed use? have costs to the public for providing such services been estimated?

    LWV has no specific overall position on parks and recreation needs. Outdoor Circle and other groups have expertise.

  5. Transportation: LWV has position garnered from other positions. Refer to Transportation file.

  6. Agriculture:

    LWV has no positions which assign priority to preservation of agriculture on the basis of its economic, international, open space, way-of-life, etc., impacts. However, various positions and State Land Use Consensus consider:

    Social impact: Life style, effects of changing job base Achieving balance

    The environment

    Destruction of agricultural potential (National).

  7. Land Use: Quoted below is a portion of the State Land Use position mentioned. (Complete statement is in Hawaii Study and Action, 1973)

    "Hawaii needs a device to ensure coordination and cooperation between the counties and the state in planning and plan implementation. The counties should have responsibility for detailed planning and control .of land uses. The state should provide the broad, overall view, guidelines to reconcile conflicting goals of the counties, and restraints on overly permissive county action. following are important considerations in designating land for urban use:

    1. Comprehensive planning

    2. State and county policies

    3. The environment: physical characteristics, hazards

    4. Agriculture

    5. Control of speculation, or at least not contributing to it

    6. Economic impact: Amount of public services needed; availability of services, jobs, business

    7. Social impact: Life style, effects of changing job base

    8. Achieving balance."

REFERENCES FOR DETERMINING ACTION POSITIONS

  1. DOCUMENTS: BACKGROUND ON NATIONAL LWV PROGRAM 1974-76.

  2. STUDY AND ACTION 1972-74, reference on the '72-'74 national program which was absorbed by the 1974-76 program.

  3. Summer 1974 NATIONAL VOTER, containing the officially worded 1974-76 National Program for Action and a preview of activities in each program area.

  4. June/July 1973 program wrap-up NATIONAL VOTER, outlining the history of the program.

  5. Hawaii State Study and Action

  6. Honolulu Study and Action.

UNIT GUIDES FOR ACTION

  1. Insure unit member agreement that timing, need and effectiveness appropriate for action.

  2. Be certain all sides of an issue have been considered. Presentation of facts and issues in unit discussion is a recommended way to discover member agreement as well as insure examination.

  3. Determine LWV National, State, or Local Principles and Positions which could be the basis for your Action. Consult with committee members for clarification of Positions. At the Honolulu league level we have Planning, Transportation, Neighborhood Commission and Air Quality Committees as well as Solid Waste, Water Quality, Housing, and Land Use at State level.

  4. Ask other organizations with specific interests and expertise for opinions, their positions, etc. (Outdoor Circle for parks and recreation for example).

  5. Present your position and proposal for action to the Honolulu Board at its next meeting. Notify the President or Secretary to include you on the agenda and to verify the time and place.

    BE PREPARED TO: Substantiate that unit MEMBER UNDERSTANDING AND AGREEMENT exists.
    State the specific National, State, or Local Principles and Positions which are applicable.

  6. Upon board approval for action at the city/county level: GO! But furnish three (3) copies of all testimony, letters to the editor, and other materials to the Honolulu Board for information, review by appropriate committee chairpersons, inclusion in board reports, and file. (If action is to be at State level (e.g., State Land Use Commission), your action will require State Board approval. )


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