By Emmanuel T. Erediano
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Variety News Staff
FOR the second month since the election of its new officers, the Commonwealth Zoning Board failed to convene due to a lack of quorum, delaying zoning permit applications for new businesses in the CNMI.
The meeting was scheduled for Monday at 10 a.m. on the third floor of the new Zoning Office at the Marianas Business Center in Susupe. Only Chairwoman Eleanor Alinas, Vice Chairman Michael Evangelista, and board member Steve Jang attended, so the public meeting did not take place. Senate Vice President Corina L. Magofna was also present.
The Zoning Board currently has only four members, including Henry S. Hofschneider. The board is required to have seven members, but the terms of Stephen Sablan and Charlotte Cepeda have expired. Gov. David M. Apatang renominated Sablan late last month, while the nominations of Cameron Nicholas and Richard Salas remain with the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation’s Judiciary and Governmental Operations Committee.
Alinas said Monday would have been an opportunity to review zoning law administration, particularly the number of new businesses applying for permits. She added that the board is aware of these applications and would have been able to review them if the meeting had taken place. The board also needs to address hiring a new administrator, she said.
Jang described the lack of quorum as “so sad,” adding that it prevents the board from taking action. “This is not what the people expected of us. This is not good,” he said. “We cannot act on things without a quorum.”
Jang noted that the Zoning Board is legally required to meet monthly, which he called the members’ fiduciary duty. “It is very frustrating. I want to get a lot of things done. That is why I joined the Zoning Board,” he said. One of his goals is to help make businesses more efficient by revising zoning rules.
He also praised the establishment of the One-Stop Business Permitting Center on Capital Hill, where the Zoning Office has a representative, but said there is room to improve or streamline the office’s services.
Emmanuel “Arnold” Erediano has a bachelor of science degree in Journalism. He started his career as police beat reporter. Loves to cook. Eats death threats for breakfast.
