SBH denies claim it charges fees for use of its beach

A former lawmaker who once served as secretary of the Department of Public Lands expressed dismay upon learning that some foreign film and marketing outfits doing business on the island are being charged a fee for using what he believes is a public beach in Susupe.
Oscar Babauta said at a public hearing Wednesday that Sandy Beach Homes has allegedly been assessing a $1,000 fee for any filming activity outside of the company’s vicinity—a claim that was denied by an official of the company.

“I was informed by some businesses that Sandy Beach Homes is charging them $1,000 [daily] just to be on the side of the beach to conduct their filmmaking. I would like to urge [the Commonwealth Development Authority] to look into this,” Babauta said during the public hearing for Tasi Homes LLC’s application for qualifying certificate.

According to Babauta, if this report is true, these foreign film outfits are being charged “double” for their beach activities because necessary permitting fees have already been paid to DPL.

CDA executive director Manuel Sablan told Saipan Tribune that CDA is not the proper authority to look into the matter because the agency’s jurisdiction over Sandy Beach Homes stopped after the expiration of the company’s qualifying certificate last year.

Sandy Beach Homes LLC manager Mike Sablan clarified with Saipan Tribune the company’s boundaries in the area.

“The beach west of Sandy Beach Homes and outside the SBH property boundary toward the ocean is a public beach. SBH does not have any jurisdiction over the public beach area and therefore does not and cannot charge for filming or other use of the area,” he said in an email.

With respect to the use of SBH’s private premises within the property boundaries, Sablan said SBH may charge for filming and other activities.

“This depends on the type of activity, how long the activity is, hours of the activity, use of SBH utilities and private parking areas, and, importantly, whether the activity is allowable under federal affordable housing regulations, which SBH is subject to. Political and certain commercial activities are disallowed by federal regulations,” he said.

For SBH residents requesting use of the SBH premises for private activities, Sablan said SBH does not charge for these as long as prior approval is obtained from the building management.

“With respect to use of the public beach near SBH and, in fact, all public beaches, SBH residents and non-SBH residents are free to use these areas. I strongly recommend, however, that they first secure DPL or other relevant government agency approval if they intend to engage in filming, commercial activities, or political gatherings as there may be restrictions on these.”

According to Sablan, perhaps there is some misunderstanding as to where SBH’s private property boundaries lie.

“The coconut trees on the beach side is the general location of private/public boundary there. SBH built two sidewalks at the north and south ends of the building to provide public access to the public beach areas. We notice that many visitors to the area do use these access sidewalks to get to the public beach area,” he added.