HAR §15-15-18. Standards for determining “U” urban district boundaries

Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, in determining the boundaries for the “U” urban district, the following standards shall be used: (1) It shall include lands characterized by “city-like” concentrations of people, structures, streets, urban level of services and other related land uses; (2) It shall take into consideration the following specific factors: (A) Proximity to centers of trading and employment except where the development would generate new centers of trading and employment; (B) Availability of basic services such as schools, parks, wastewater systems, solid waste disposal, drainage, water, transportation systems, public utilities, and police and fire protection; and (C) Sufficient reserve areas for foreseeable urban growth; (3) It shall include lands with satisfactory topography, drainage, and reasonably free from the danger of any flood, tsunami, unstable soil condition, and other adverse environmental effects; (4) Land contiguous with existing urban areas shall be given more consideration than non-contiguous land, and particularly when indicated for future urban use on state or county general plans; (5) It shall include lands in appropriate locations for new urban concentrations and shall give consideration to areas of urban growth as shown on the state and county general plans; (6) It may include lands which do not conform to the standards in paragraphs (1) to (5): (A) When surrounded by or adjacent to existing urban development; and (B) Only when those lands represent a minor portion of this district; (7) It shall not include lands, the urbanization of which will contribute toward scattered spot urban development, necessitating unreasonable investment in public infrastructure or support services; and (8) It may include lands with a general slope of twenty per cent or more if the commission finds that those lands are desirable and suitable for urban purposes and that the design and construction controls, as adopted by any federal, state, or county agency, are adequate to protect the public health, welfare and safety, and the public’s interests in the aesthetic quality of the landscape. [Eff 10/27/86; am and comp 8/16/97; comp May 08 2000] (Auth: HRS §§205-1, 205-2, 205-7) (Imp: HRS §205-2) - 14 - Hawai`i Administrative Rules Title 15, Chapter 15 - Unofficial