Senate Floor Leader Jude U. Hofschneider, R-Tinian, said this is the right time to establish a proper guideline as to how buildings and infrastructure should be built on their island.
“While we’re still in the infancy state of development, it’s good to have a zoning law that will serve as a guideline for the development of the community whether commercial, residential, or agricultural,” Hofschneider told Variety.
He has introduced Senate Local Bill 16-03, an act to establish a zoning board for Tinian and Aguiguan. Tinian’s legislative delegation has already passed the measure and now awaits the governor’s signature.
Hofschneider said they find that it is in the best interest of the island to encourage planned growth, provide for competing land uses, abate nuisances and coordinate the environmental resources of the municipality.
“A zoning board of Tinian and Aguiguan will prepare a land use plan for review and adoption by the delegation,” he said.
Hofschneider said they noted “inconsistencies” in Saipan’s zoning law and will try to avoid them on Tinian.
Under the proposed zoning plan for Tinian, “quantifiable performance standards shall be employed in determining whether a particular use or structure is permissible within a particular district.”
Hofschneider said the zoning plan must show maps indicating the boundaries of each district, as well as standards and procedures for issuance of variances and conditional use permits.
Asked about the funding source for the creation of the Tinian zoning board, Hofschneider said the delegation will discuss this issue in its next meeting.
Hofschneider wants the board to have five members appointed by the mayor of Tinian with the concurrence of the municipal council.
Each member will serve a four-year term.
“This is the first time it was proposed to our island and we’re very optimistic that everybody will support it,” Hofschneider said.
