To begin with, 16 amendments to specific areas of the present zoning map would change 10 designated “rural village” areas to “village commercial” status, 9 to “mixed commercial” status and 5 to “industrial” status. The changes are proposed for areas throughout Saipan, from Capitol Hill and Navy Hill to Oleia, Northern Marianas College and Koblerville.
Another amendment would make all land within 600 feet of major paved roads “mixed commercial.”
Most of San Roque village would be zoned “Village Commercial.”
The changes are extensive, and seemingly all go in the same direction — allowing commercial activity anywhere anyone wants it to happen.
The changes are as proposed in Representative Stanley T. Torres’ House Local Bill 17-26, the most recent version of which can be found at the zoning board webpage, www.zoning.gov.mp. Maps of the affected areas are also available at the zoning board web page.
Hearings will be held at 6:00 p.m. at Garapan Elementary School on 6/6, at Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School on 6/7, at Kagman Community Center on 6/8, at Zoning Board office, Dandan on 6/9, at San Vicente School on 6/10, at Dandan Elementary School 6/13, at the Koblerville Youth Center on 6/14.
A schedule of hearings, which identifies areas covered only by reference to Torres’ bill, appears on the zoning web page.
In addition, more than 100 changes are proposed to the “Table of Permitted, Conditional and Temporary Uses” — changes that would, in effect, wipe out the “Rural” designation altogether. The Zoning Board has scheduled a separate hearing on this amendment for June 28, at 6:00 p.m., at the Zoning Board office in Dandan.
Saipan’s major attraction as a tourist destiny has been its peace, quiet, serenity. Peace and quiet in its villages is equally important to local residents.
Torres’ proposed changes would destroy all that. Any and all who care about the future of Saipan are urged to show up at the hearing nearest their village, and to speak up!
More information is available at www.zoning.gov.mp> or from the zoning board office, telephone 234-9663.
RUTH L. TIGHE
Tanapag, Saipan
