“I hope we can meet and I can benefit from your experience and knowledge of what is best for this island community and its vision for the future,” said Barrett in his letter to the lawmaker last week.
“Being new to the island I realize I need to listen and learn,” Barrett said.
He added: “I have made a big commitment in moving my family in Saipan, and I hope you can understand I am equally committed to getting zoning right for the island.”
“I believe that working together we can address any concerns with the zoning law,” Barrett informed Torres, adding he wants to meet the lawmaker to “achieve some clarity” regarding the bill to suspend the zoning law.
Barrett, who assumed office in June 22, said he is willing to review changes in the law and the comments from businesses and citizens.
He said suspending the zoning law“would be unfair to hundreds of businesses that have followed” the statute.
Torres had proposed a six-month suspension of the Saipan zoning law, citing its “unintended” consequences.
He said his office has been receiving complaints about the zoning law.
There are other offices that could exercises regulatory powers “for suspect land use,” he added.
Torres, in a delivered speech during Monday’s House session, said: “If this new administrator does not get it right, why he too will be on a plane back to the U.S. mainland while we remain here, stuck with a plan that hampers instead of helps.”
“What we need is a system that works with our landowners and developers, not one that hampers their every move and creates ivoery tower unworkable plans,” Torres said.
“Zoning needs to be user friendly and it needs to address the needs of the community,” he added.
Saipan Mayor Juan Borja Tudela also supports the suspension of the zoning law.
