Zoning issues 15 notices of violations

The Zoning Office has issued 15 notices of violation to businesses and households that do not comply with the Public Nuisance and Signs requirement under the zoning law, from the time it started the issuance of notices on Nov. 7.

Of the 15 notices, eight were issued for hanging clothes in public view while seven were issued for other reasons, including obstruction on sidewalks, parking areas and front yards, trash bins placed on a public street, and construction without permits.

Acting Zoning administrator Therese T. Ogumoro said some of the places that were pre-screened or identified for possible notices “had cleaned up prior to the Nov. 7 enforcement date.”

Ogumoro said that those who receive the notices are given 24 hours upon receipt to comply with the law.

Public nuisance is defined under the Saipan Zoning Law of 2008 as “an unreasonable interference with a right common to the general public.” It “does not change its character by reason of its location on private or public property, occupied or unoccupied property.”

Examples of public nuisance are vegetation obstructing the safe passage or sight of motorists or pedestrians at an intersection or any street or sidewalk; abandoned vehicles or appliances in public view; a building or structure in such dilapidated condition that it presents a fire hazard or a menace to the health of the public; and laundry hung outside on a balcony, terrace, porch, deck, or veranda within the view of the public, particularly in the tourism related districts zoned as Garapan Core, Garapan East, and some areas on Middle Road and Beach Road.

“If they don’t comply, then we’ll enforce up to $200 of fine per day as written in the [notice that] they signed,” Ogumoro told Saipan Tribune.

Ogumoro said those who received notices “can ask for an informal compliance meeting with the acting administrator or a formal hearing with the Zoning board to appeal the notice issued by the acting administrator.”

She noted, however, that the request for a meeting or hearing “does not stop the notice from being effective.”

She said they will follow up on the areas where they issued notices and will visit more areas within the week.

“We urge the public to continue their efforts in cleaning up and promoting the value of our island,” added Ogumoro.