Board starts the process to zone adult businesses

The Commonwealth Zoning Board has started the process to zone adult businesses on Saipan. The decision was arrived at during the board’s meeting on May 8.

The board is now circulating two items for public comment. One is a proposal to create an adult business overlay zoning district. The other is to request proposals for adult business park zoning districts.

“This is a major step forward,” said board chairman Henry Hofschneider. “We are working to make the island more family-friendly.”

The adult business overlay zoning district would cover land within 200 feet of each side of the centerline of Chalan Pale Arnold (Middle Road) as follows: from Chalan Msgr. Guerrero north to a line extending along the center of Commonwealth Avenue (south side of Sugar King Park). If a lot or building extends beyond 200 feet from the centerline, only the part within 200 feet would be allowed to be used for an adult business.

The board is also seeking public comment on a proposal to amend the requirements on the Saipan Zoning Law for siting adult businesses in adult business overlay zones. The proposed amendment would require new adult businesses in an overlay zone to be located at least 500 feet from an existing adult business. The concept of the 500-foot separation is to avoid creating closely packed “red light” districts that draw crowds and traffic, and reduce property values.

Adult businesses are defined in the Saipan Zoning Law of 2007 and include most massage parlors, porno shops and strip clubs. Adult businesses could be allowed to locate in the adult business overlay zoning district after they submit applications for zoning permits and meet the requirements of Section 513 of the Saipan Zoning Law of 2007. These requirements include: separation from sensitive locations and design of buildings and signs. The Saipan Zoning Law may be viewed and downloaded online at www.zoning.gov.mp or at the Zoning Office, 2nd Floor, Joeten Building, DanDan.

Informational sessions on the adult business overlay zoning district proposal will be held on June 13 at 2pm and 6:30pm to explain the proposal. A public hearing will be held on June 18 at 6:30pm. All will be held at the Multi-Purpose in Susupe.

After the public hearing, the Zoning Board will decide whether to approve the adult business overlay zoning district and whether to recommend that the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation amend the Saipan Zoning Law.

The board is also requesting proposals for establishment of one or more adult business park zoning districts on Saipan. An adult business park zoning district is a piece of property composed of one or more lots and/or buildings, that may be developed with one or more adult businesses.

According to the Saipan Zoning Law, no new adult business, and, eventually, no old adult business, will be allowed except in an approved adult business district. The law authorizes the Zoning Board to establish adult business park zoning districts in locations that meet certain requirements for road access; impact on health, safety, or welfare of adjacent land uses; and property management.

The Zoning Board will evaluate the proposals for adult business parks and consider which, if any, are appropriate to include in draft regulations. Once the draft regulations are prepared, they will be sent out for public review and comment. Information on the request for proposals is available on the zoning website (www.zoning.gov.mp) and at the Zoning Office on the second floor of the Joeten Building in DanDan. [B][I](Zoning Board)[/I][/B]