Zoning OK’s permit for dog transfer shelter

The Zoning board approved in a public hearing Wednesday the conditional use permit application of the Saipan Mayor’s Office Dog Control Program to operate a dog transfer shelter.

Voting yes on the application were board chair Diego Blanco, vice chair Joe Limes, secretary Ed Arriola, and treasurer Alice Igitol.

The dog control program will be operating a dog transfer shelter on Lot 012-H17 located in between Casilda and Konsolacion Streets behind the post office in Chalan Kanoa.

Mayor Donald Flores, adviser Henry Hofschneider, and program manager Ray Lizama represented the applicant during the hearing.

Acting Zoning administrator Therese T. Ogumoro said in an interview yesterday that they recommended the approval of the application to the board based on the assessment of the public’s concerns and the compatibility of the proposed transfer shelter with the current zone in the area.

The area is currently zoned as Village Residential.

Ogumoro said Rep. Ralph Demapan (Cov-Saipan) of Precinct II attended the public hearing to raise his constituents’ concerns about noise and other types of pollution that may be caused by dogs that will be kept in the transfer shelter.

“While Rep. Demapan expressed his support for the program, he advised us to be mindful of the concerns of the residents,” Ogumoro told Saipan Tribune.

The board then approved the application with several conditions, including the proper disposal of animal wastes and carcasses or any chemicals used in compliance with local and federal regulations; taking reasonable measures to minimize noise to avoid disrupting the neighborhood’s privacy; providing landscaping, where necessary; ensuring that proposed temporary structures are securely fenced and the number of kennels does not exceed 12; and compliance with the requirements of non-conforming structures.

Ogumoro added two further conditions during the hearing, which are securing appropriate permits from regulatory agencies that have jurisdiction on the shelter, and not confining dogs overnight at the transfer shelter or between 6pm and 6am.

“I appreciate the Zoning board for approving our request and the residents in the area for raising their concerns,” Flores said in a separate interview.

Flores said they will be complying with the conditions set by the Zoning board. He described these conditions as “workable” and a form of compromise between the program and the residents.

With the approval of the conditional use permit, Flores said they will be working with the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. to see if the facility has a sewage system in place.

According to Flores, they will soon begin with the eradication component of the dog control program as the construction already began for the main dog shelter in Lower Base, which is spearheaded by the Northern Marianas Trades Institute.

“I’m very glad that we’re now closer to doing the eradication part of the program in compliance with the law,” said Flores.