03-02-2011, 04:49 PM
Regarding an alternative building code for Hawaii County:
I'm a board member of the Hawaii Sustainable Community Alliance a newly formed non profit.
We've been meeting weekly for some time and have developed the following draft of a Resolution to be presented soon to our County Council with the intention of following up with an Ordinance to add a new, more sustainable friendly building code. I'd appreciate input from forum participants.
Check out our website at http://hawaiisustainablecommunity.org/ and become members if you support us. There's power in numbers.
Key provisions of Hawaii County Sustainable Rural Habitat Ordinance.
1. owner-built (owner builder): including no sell, rent, or lease for at least 5 years.
2. only on agricultural land zoned A2 or larger.
3. recorded on deed
4. temporary occupancy allowed (provided adequate sanitation exists)
5. materials allowed: owner-produced, previously used/salvaged, local, minimally processed
6. Misc structures, referred to as 'accessory dwelling units' in one source and as 'appurtenant structures' in another. Including with or without 'amenities', e.g., sleeping accommodation without a kitchen attached.
7. building regulations providing application of reasonable judgment in determining that health and safety is being protected
Sustainable Rural Habitat Resolution (a step toward the Ordinance.)
Whereas, there is a shortage of affordable housing on Hawaii Island; and
Whereas, there are many unpermitted occupied residences on Hawaii Island, especially in rural areas; and
Whereas, the costs of building houses to the Uniform Building Code are prohibitive for many of Hawaii Island's rural families; and
Whereas, in rural areas of Hawaii Island there are many locally available, underutilized, renewable building materials, such as bamboo and tropical hardwoods; and
Whereas, the use of locally-available and minimally processed building materials reduces overall construction costs and results in a smaller ecological footprint; and
Whereas, Hawaii Island's rural areas are sometimes remote and often serviced by substandard roads, creating extra cost in transporting building materials; and
Whereas, substantial rural areas of Hawaii Island have been zoned with agricultural parcels not serviced by HELCO, County water or County sewage systems; and
Whereas, Hawaii Island is blessed with a mild climate that can obviate the need for expensive artificial heating and cooling; and
Whereas, resource sharing and cooperation are an important part of economic livelihood, including building construction, in Hawaii Island's rural areas; and
Whereas, establishment of owner-built residences on agricultural land will contribute to increasing agricultural production on that land; and
Whereas, according to the Hawaii County Integrated Resource and Solid Waste Management Plan, lumber accounts for 10% or more of materials disposed of in Hawaii County's landfills; andWhereas, the Hawaii County Integrated Resource and Solid Waste Management Plan commits Hawaii County is to diverting resources from it's two landfills; and
Whereas, in providing sustainable habitat, protection of public health and safety can be realized as long as structural integrity and necessary standards for electrical, mechanical, and sanitation are maintained; and
Be it resolved, that Hawaii County Council is committed to enacting alternative building regulations that maintain protection of public health and safety while permitting owner-built rural habitat, appropriate to rural Hawaii Island's unique site conditions and circumstances at a cost that is affordable and has a relatively lower ecological footprint.
I'm a board member of the Hawaii Sustainable Community Alliance a newly formed non profit.
We've been meeting weekly for some time and have developed the following draft of a Resolution to be presented soon to our County Council with the intention of following up with an Ordinance to add a new, more sustainable friendly building code. I'd appreciate input from forum participants.
Check out our website at http://hawaiisustainablecommunity.org/ and become members if you support us. There's power in numbers.
Key provisions of Hawaii County Sustainable Rural Habitat Ordinance.
1. owner-built (owner builder): including no sell, rent, or lease for at least 5 years.
2. only on agricultural land zoned A2 or larger.
3. recorded on deed
4. temporary occupancy allowed (provided adequate sanitation exists)
5. materials allowed: owner-produced, previously used/salvaged, local, minimally processed
6. Misc structures, referred to as 'accessory dwelling units' in one source and as 'appurtenant structures' in another. Including with or without 'amenities', e.g., sleeping accommodation without a kitchen attached.
7. building regulations providing application of reasonable judgment in determining that health and safety is being protected
Sustainable Rural Habitat Resolution (a step toward the Ordinance.)
Whereas, there is a shortage of affordable housing on Hawaii Island; and
Whereas, there are many unpermitted occupied residences on Hawaii Island, especially in rural areas; and
Whereas, the costs of building houses to the Uniform Building Code are prohibitive for many of Hawaii Island's rural families; and
Whereas, in rural areas of Hawaii Island there are many locally available, underutilized, renewable building materials, such as bamboo and tropical hardwoods; and
Whereas, the use of locally-available and minimally processed building materials reduces overall construction costs and results in a smaller ecological footprint; and
Whereas, Hawaii Island's rural areas are sometimes remote and often serviced by substandard roads, creating extra cost in transporting building materials; and
Whereas, substantial rural areas of Hawaii Island have been zoned with agricultural parcels not serviced by HELCO, County water or County sewage systems; and
Whereas, Hawaii Island is blessed with a mild climate that can obviate the need for expensive artificial heating and cooling; and
Whereas, resource sharing and cooperation are an important part of economic livelihood, including building construction, in Hawaii Island's rural areas; and
Whereas, establishment of owner-built residences on agricultural land will contribute to increasing agricultural production on that land; and
Whereas, according to the Hawaii County Integrated Resource and Solid Waste Management Plan, lumber accounts for 10% or more of materials disposed of in Hawaii County's landfills; andWhereas, the Hawaii County Integrated Resource and Solid Waste Management Plan commits Hawaii County is to diverting resources from it's two landfills; and
Whereas, in providing sustainable habitat, protection of public health and safety can be realized as long as structural integrity and necessary standards for electrical, mechanical, and sanitation are maintained; and
Be it resolved, that Hawaii County Council is committed to enacting alternative building regulations that maintain protection of public health and safety while permitting owner-built rural habitat, appropriate to rural Hawaii Island's unique site conditions and circumstances at a cost that is affordable and has a relatively lower ecological footprint.