By Moneth G. Deposa
Variety News Staff

THE Commonwealth Zoning Board has submitted draft legislation that would allow the creation of two types of zones: an overlay zone and an adult business park.
The overlay zone will cover a large area to allow adult businesses to spread out among other kinds of businesses that still have to conform to standards for signs and outdoor appearance.
The adult business park, which will be located away from residences, schools, and churches, will concentrate the businesses in one or more small areas.
“We wrote a draft bill,” Board Chairman Henry Hofschneider said in a media statement. “Our procedure is to write up a draft, debate it, and pass it on to the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation with a recommendation to make it a law.”
He said the bill aims to help ensure a tourist and family-friendly atmosphere while maintaining legitimate adult businesses on island.
According to Hofschneider, the board worked on the bill starting in August, held public meetings and took oral and written comments from individuals, businesses and organizations.
The proposed law, or the Saipan Adult Business Zoning Act of 2007, would authorize the board to establish adult business zones on Saipan, which would allow them a year to close or move, with the possibility of an extension.
“This bill would change the face of Saipan, requiring more modest signs for adult businesses, and eliminating the use of sexual language whether in English, Japanese or another language,” he said, adding that businesses will have six months to change their signs.
The bill defines adult businesses to include adult arcades, adult cabarets, adult motels, adult motion picture theaters, adult theaters, escort agencies, massage parlors, nude model studios, sex shops, and sexual encounter centers.
Hofschneider said that if the bill becomes law, they will hold public meetings to decide where these zones should be established.
He explained that their proposal only “regulates legitimate businesses and not, for example, prostitution which is illegal in the CNMI.”
It does not regulate non-adult night clubs where there is no sexually oriented activity.
2 zoning board members confirmed
The Saipan and Northern Island Legislative Delegation yesterday confirmed the appointments of Dr. Elizabeth D. Rechebei and Herminia M. Fusco as new members of the Saipan Zoning Board.
Rechebei was appointed by the governor on Jan. 9 to serve a second two-year term.
Fusco was appointed on Dec. 21 and will also serve a two-year term on the board.