WHY are we even talking about suspending the Zoning Board? After carful studies, the legislature at the time found it NECESSARY to have zoning on Saipan. One of the reasons as I recall was to manage development so that the ultimate results would be pleasing and orderly. While the investor is asked to comply with certain requirements that may seem unreasonable to some, the end product is a beautiful island that is pleasing for ALL. The zoning ordinances favor the local community and thus the majority of the population. At the time, it was considered unfair for the local community to allow outside investors and/or guests to come to their island home to build whatever they wanted and however they wanted with no regard to tourism, the mainstay economy of the island, and more importantly to what is home for many and for generations to come. Investors and guests weren’t concerned about these things; their concern was either profit or living as frugally as possible with no regard to their surroundings.
It may seem trivial, but when zoning tells an investor that the sign on their building has to meet certain standards, it is a good thing. I wonder what Saipan would look like today if everyone was allowed to put up anything they wanted. Without zoning, it would be like inviting someone into your home, and without your permission, they come in, rearrange your furniture and paint the house any color they want. Zoning Board is there to say, take off your shoes before you come in. In other words, respect my home. Zoning does much more than just address signage. The rules and regulations can be complex but vitally important.
Suspending the zoning board is not the solution. According to the article in Marianas Variety on May 8, 2025, Senator Castro, one of the authors of the bill, states that he is not suggesting that the Zoning Board is not doing a good job but that Zoning should be stopped and assessed to improve the process. I believe the zoning board can do an internal assessment and can improve without being suspended.
Everyone is in agreement that the Zoning Board is doing a good job. There is a lot of institutional knowledge that needs to be recognized. Therese T. Ogumoro among others have worked tirelessly in zoning. I am most supportive of Zoning Board Chair Henry S. Hofschneider for stating correctly that without zoning rules it would be like going back in time.
We just spent several millions improving the hotel area in Garapan and Beach Road. By the way it is now very attractive. Yet, there are still run down and dilapidated buildings. Let’s keep building on a good thing and keep the zoning board. Time would be better spent discussing how to empower the Zoning Board to address these abandoned buildings and to continue making sure investors adhere to rules that keep our islands beautiful.
EFRAIN F. CAMACHO
Navy Hill, Saipan
