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Zoning resubmits proposed law amendments
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Posted on Jun 08 2012
By Clarissa V. David
Reporter
Reporter
The Zoning board submitted anew its original proposed amendments to the Saipan Zoning Law and Maps of 2008, about two months after Gov. Benigno R. Fitial vetoed House Local Bill 17-26.
Zoning administrator Therese T. Ogumoro, in a letter to House Speaker Eli D. Cabrera, said that their submission contents is the same proposed law that they previously presented to the Saipan and Northern Island Legislative Delegation.
Ogumoro noted in her May 14 letter that all technical errors identified both by the delegation and the Zoning Office have been incorporated within the latest proposal.
“Again, the office and board are strongly requesting that this proposed zoning law, as presented in final form, be passed as it is,” said Ogumoro, adding that the passing of the law is “very important” to effectuate the critical and long-awaited improvements to zoning on Saipan.
Efforts to get Zoning’s proposed amendments to the 4-year-old law approved was stalled following Rep. Stanley Torres’ submission of his own version of zoning amendments through HLB 17-26, which would have made massive changes to the zoning law.
Citing significant legal concerns, particularly “spot zoning,” Fitial vetoed the bill on March 22.
When asked for comment, Zoning board chair Diego C. Blanco said in a phone interview that he is hopeful that their version of the proposed amendments would pass the delegation this time.
These amendments, he said, are based on sound zoning policies and principles and include public comments they received as well as careful planning on the part of Zoning Office that spanned for two years.
Blanco said he respects Torres and any other representatives who may have any amendments to the zoning law but he called on these lawmakers to work with Zoning in improving the law.
“We prefer that they work with us so we can discuss their concerns further. After all, we’re all reasonable men here. I believe that Mr. Torres is also a reasonable man,” Blanco told Saipan Tribune.
