In a letter last week, Fusco urged Gov. Benigno R. Fitial to oppose House Local Bill 17-26 which seeks to rezone many areas on Saipan and shift them into other land use categories.
Fusco, whose term on the board ended last year, said Torres’ bill “will drastically change the future landscape of Saipan and has far-reaching ramifications affecting property values and quality of life of all residents and visitors.”
She said it is irresponsible to introduce legislation without articulating the reasons for it or providing impact analysis.
Fusco noted that by rezoning all lands within 600 feet of paved roads to mixed commercial, several zoning districts will be eliminated.
These include the Beach Road Zoning District, the Garapan Core, the Tourist Resort Zoning District and Garapan East. All these are part of the Garapan and Beach Road Revitalization Master Plan prepared in 2007 and funded by the U.S. Department of the Interior.
This land use plan, she said, is for tourism.
H.L.B. 17-26, she added, will “throw this out with no justification,”
Torres, Ind.-Saipan, said Fusco is making statements that are “probably misguided.”
He said he respects Fusco’s view but added, “she is too emotional.”
The former Zoning Board chairwoman, he said, is too restrictive.
“I will rebut her misunderstanding,” he added.
