Torres, the author of House Local Bill 17-30 delivered a privileged speech during the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation session yesterday, lashing out at Flores for criticizing his proposal.
Torres wants to create a Zoning Office of Saipan distinct from the Commonwealth Zoning Board.
The new zoning office will prepare a land use plan and administer land use and the zoning system.
In his written comment, Flores said he is not in favor of Torres’s bill because it is “a clear attempt at tinkering with something that is not broken.”
The mayor added that it will be a much productive use of everyone’s time to consider other bills that are sensible.
He said the intent of the bill “lacks even the slightest degree of acumen.”
Comparing the measure to Public Law 6-32, which created the Commonwealth Zoning Board, the Saipan mayor said there are a few “eyebrow-raising” differences worth bringing up.
Torres, in his speech, said he finds Flores’s comment offensive. “I am being ridiculed,” the lawmaker said. “This letter’s tone is like it was written by a redneck.”
He added, “I want to get away from P.L. 6-32 because it creates zoning in all of the CNMI.”
Torres said the zoning law should be for the local level only.
“That is an arrogant attitude,” he said referring to Flores’s comments.
