Reconstituted zoning board sworn in

Gov. Juan N. Babauta swore in yesterday six members of the Saipan Zoning Board, bringing back to life a system that was suspended 10 years ago.

“Deciding how we use our precious land is a mark of our real maturity as a self-governing commonwealth,” the governor told board members Isidoro Cabrera, Bill Concepcion, Herminia Fusco, Maria Pangelinan, Henry Hofschneider, and Rex Kosack prior to administering the oath of office. “You have your work cut out for you.”

Babauta urged the board to focus its initial activities on the Garapan tourist district and the spread of poker machines into villages.

The Commonwealth enacted enabling legislation for Saipan zoning in 1989 and a zoning law in 1993. Before it could be put into action, however, the law was suspended by the Saipan local delegation. Babauta, who was then a member of the 6th Legislature in 1989, had voted for the zoning law.

“It was a disappointment when zoning was suspended in 1994, before giving us a chance to take control of how we wanted to grow,” the governor said.

“Without zoning, Garapan—our prime tourist area—deteriorated. Economic development and our quality of life are tied to the decisions we make—or fail to make—about land use,” he said.

Babauta urged the new zoning board to tackle the Garapan area first, saying the government has invested millions of dollars to revitalize the site, which he described as essential to the local economy.

“Now, the zoning board can help make sure that new investments add value and continue to revitalize Garapan,” he said

Garapan revitalization has been one of the key elements of the Babauta economic development strategy. Some $16 million are being spent on the Paseo de Marianas pedestrian mall, American Memorial Park visitors center, and for road paving and drainage improvements in Garapan. Eighty percent of tourists visit the area during their vacations on Saipan.

Babauta acknowledged that the community also has other concerns that zoning could address. “I know there are many more issues that need to be tackled, like auto body shops in residential areas, uncontrolled strip development along Middle Road, preserving the ‘island feeling’ of Beach Road.”

“You will prove that our islands are better places to live when we make wise decisions about growth and development, when we decide how our precious land will be used,” he said.