These include “continued planning and review” of development within the Marpi area and the rezoning of significant portions of the island’s primary roads.
Acting Zoning Administrator Therese Ogumoro conducted a Power Point presentation to the members of the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation at 10 a.m. in the House chamber.
Zoning Board Chairman Diego Blanco and board member Herman P. Sablan were also present.
The proposed amendments designate Marpi as a “special rural area” where many uses ordinarily permitted in other rural areas will not be permitted.
The board also proposes to rezone into village commercial use the residential and rural lots within 300 feet from the center line of Saipan’s major thoroughfares.
It wants to rezone into mixed commercial use the areas northwest of the Saipan international airport, and into industrial use the southeast side of the airport.
Rep. Joseph M. Palacios, R-Saipan, said he does not oppose the idea of rezoning lots 300 feet from the center of primary roads, but he opposes designating areas at the airport as industrial zones.
He said there are some historical sites in those areas.
He said if the Zoning Board wants to make those lands available for industrial use, it should first hear from landowners, residents and the Historic Preservation Office.
Sen. Ralph DLG. Torres, R-Saipan, noted that there are landowners who participated in the Department of Public Land’s land exchange program.
He said the parcels of land in the areas proposed to be designated as an industrial zone are all they have for their homes.
Blanco asked Torres: “Do you have plans to build a house on the runway?”
Torres said he was not referring to the areas at the airport, adding that he just wants to make sure that DPL and the Zoning Board are working together to make sure land exchange recipients are treated fairly.
Blanco said: “Fortunately, DPL does not award homesteads next to the runway.”
House Floor Leader George N. Camacho, Ind.-Saipan, said rezoning 300 feet lots from the roads “is more acceptable” than the 600 feet proposed in House Local Bill 17-26 introduced by Rep. Stanley T. Torres, Ind.-Sapan.
Rep. Edmund S. Villagomez, Covenant-Saipan, agreed, but said designating lands around the airport as an industrial zone is something they should seriously look at first.
Torres said rezoning only 300 feet from the roads is not enough.
“Why do we have to limit the opportunities of our own people?” he asked.
The Zoning Board also wants to allow single family homes in all areas regardless of land use.
The board at the same time vowed to be lenient when reviewing home-based businesses.
Due to the “unique historical developments” in Garapan, the board said off-street parking will no longer be required within the district.
Moreover, land divided among families for the purpose of inheritance will no longer be subject to subdividing regulations, the board said.
It will also allow retail stores and aquaculture business in village residential areas.
