House Local Bill 16-28, or the Saipan Adult Gambling Machine Business Zoning Act of 2009, will amend the island’s zoning law.
According to the bill, “Adult gambling machine businesses pose a risk to neighborhoods and neighboring properties because such businesses are a target for robbery.”
The location of gambling machines “near residences and conveniences such as Laundromats can increase the temptation and likelihood that a [gambling] addicted person will gamble,” the bill stated.
Santos, R-Saipan, said minors should not be “exposed” to such facilities.
“Special regulation of gambling business is necessary to ensure that [these] businesses do not become incompatible with legitimate land uses and…will not contribute to the blight or downgrading of districts in which they are permitted, thereby adversely affecting property values and deterring or interfering with the development and operation of other businesses within the area,” her bill stated.
It noted that “areas in which gambling machine businesses are permitted to cluster or become concentrated may have a higher incidence of crime…. These crimes increase in the evening hours, requiring more police effort.”
The bill, however, allows nonconforming poker arcades to request an extension from the zoning board, which may grant an extension upon finding the following:
• The use, if continued, would not create a public nuisance;
• The tenant, subtenant, lessee, sub-lessee, owner or other person that owns or operates such use is obligated under a lease or other binding rental agreement for the premises and the obligation was entered into before Feb.1, 2008, for a period exceeding five years; and
• The financial details support the claim that the use represents an investment of money in leasehold and leasehold improvements that cannot practically be relocated to such an extent that denial of the requested extension would result in undue financial hardship.
Based on CNMI government data, there are 680 poker machines on Saipan, 52 on Tinian and 59 on Rota.
Zoning Administrator Steve Tilley, who will resign from his post to return to the states in April, met with lawmakers in the House chamber on Friday to discuss the concerns of businesses and residents regarding the implementation of the zoning law.
Tilley said under the law, new poker arcades are permitted only in a hotel with more than 20 rooms, or on a lot abutting Beach Road between Afetna Road and Chalan Msgr. Guerrero, and on Chalan Pale Arnold between Chalan Msgr. Guerrero and Commonwealth Drive — “provided that the poker arcade shall not be established within 100 ft. of a church, Laundromat, public primary or secondary school, park, playground or other adult gambling machine business.”
Tilley said the zoning board will conduct free training sessions about the zoning law:
• On March 10, 9 a.m., at the multi-purpose center in Susupe, regarding signs and banners for retailers and others. At 1:30 p.m., the session will discuss adult businesses — massage parlors, strip clubs, porno shops, etc.
• On March 12, 9 a.m., at the multi-purpose center in Susupe, regarding the overview of the Saipan Zoning Law of 2008 for developers and the general public. At 1:30 p.m., land subdivision for surveyors and others involved in subdividing property will be discussed.
For more information, visit the zoning board office on the second floor of the Joeten Building in Dandan or call 234-9661. You may also fax 234-9666, e-mail [email protected] or check the Web site at www.zoning.gov.mp
