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Comments on Saipan zoning bill
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Posted on Mar 30 2012
I as one legislator cannot enact legislation. And I alone cannot spot zone anything. Saipan House Local Bill 17-26, S3 was not passed by myself alone; at least a majority of my colleagues voted in support of this legislation.
So in response to those that claim that I spot zoned areas, I say simply that the zoning was done for the overall benefit of the landowners and the community.
In a small community such as Saipan, there will be a need to treat specific areas differently out of consideration for tradition or perhaps to allow for the land to be used efficiently.
The opinion of the Zoning Board is one factor but they alone do not know each and every parcel of land like the owners do. I did my homework. I carefully considered all the amendments. Nothing was done without careful consideration. I simply listened to the needs of the landowners and I took the interests of the community into consideration. That is not spot zoning. Having said that, the Felipe Roberto, Abaros, the Whole Warehouse at Susupe/Matsunaga property, the Big Boyz at As Terlaje, the former Black Micro Compound and many other locations that needed re-zoning are gone-not rezoned! Sadly, I am not going to wait for Zoning and its board to make up their minds. I am taking the matter to the next level for approval.
Rep. Stanley Tudela McGinnis Torres
17th Legislature, Capital Hill
