Saipan Road Map

A bill that's meant to kill Saipan zoning

As a concerned citizen of the CNMI I would like to comment on House Local Bill 17-26 S1, introduced by Rep. Stanley Torres. This bill will drastically change the future landscape of the island of Saipan and has far-reaching ramifications affecting property values and the quality of life of all residents and visitors. It will basically undo any and all improvements that zoning has accomplished over the last three years. Essentially it will kill zoning in everything but name, which I am sure is the intent. As a resident, a voter, and a former zoning board member, I am appalled at the amount of time and effort spent on proposed legislation to undermine the legally established role of a specific governmental agency. It is irresponsible to introduce legislation without articulating the reasons for the legislation or providing an impact analysis to quantify any impacts and effects the legislation might result in. At this juncture in time when the CNMI's economy is in desperate need of recovery I would expect our elected leaders to concentrate on important issues and ideas that will be of benefit in the long run. There are no quick fixes. “Section 3. Amendment. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Saipan Zoning Law of 2008, all areas that border any and all major paved thoroughfares 600 feet from the centerlines on either side of such street that are not zoned “MC” Mixed Commercial are hereby rezoned to “MC” Mixed Commercial. This provision does not apply to “IN” Industrial zoned areas.” In my opinion this one sentence will effectively rezone the neighborhoods of 90 percent of the residents of Saipan to Mixed Commercial. Some permitted uses allowed in a Mixed Commercial zone will be auto shops, heavy equipment and machinery shops, gas stations, barracks, septic system services, retail construction material suppliers, pawnshops, farms, contractor's offices and storage yards, manufacturing facilities, processing plants, and warehousing. These four zoning districts were incorporated into the Zoning Law by way of the Garapan and Beach Road Revitalization Master Plan, which was prepared for the Zoning Office by the Maker Architecture and Urban Design firm back in 2007 (available on the zoning website under publications). This plan included work session participants from the community as well as elected officials, and was paid for by federal grants from OIA, Department of the Interior, and local funds.

Guam buildup reaffirmed | Hafablog - Saipan News, Guam News, and Blogs

* But timetable pushed back

IMMEDIATELY following the “2+2” talks held in Washington D.C. yesterday, the United States and Japan issued a joint statement, part of which reaffirmed the transfer of 8,000 U.S. Marines and their dependents from Okinawa to Guam, and the completion of a new air station needed for the move at “the earliest possible date after 2014.”

The joint release was issued after the Security Consultative Committee met, which included U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, Japan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Takeaki Matsumoto, and Japan Minister of Defense Toshimi Kitazawa.

The joint release emphasized the increasing importance of U.S. military presence in Japan to maintain deterrence and strengthen alliance capabilities in view of the current evolving regional security environment.

The officials spoke of the need to further delay the transfer of the Marines to Guam. This means the targeted 2014 date will not happen. The Marianas Variety reported earlier that the target date will not happen until possibly 2020.

Statement

According to the joint statement:

? The SCC members reconfirmed the commitment to the relocation of approximately 8,000 III MEF personnel and their approximately 9,000 dependents from Okinawa to Guam, as part of a broader strategy for U.S. forces to realize geographically dispersed, operationally resilient, and politically sustainable posture in the Western Pacific.

? The Ministers noted the concrete progress made thus far, including the conclusion of the Guam International Agreement of Feb. 17, 2009, and fiscal measures taken by both Japan and the United States. The Ministers confirmed their commitment to ensuring the funding necessary for the steady implementation of the relocation in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Roadmap and the Guam International Agreement.

? The United States continues to examine the unit composition of III MEF personnel remaining on Okinawa in the context of overall theater security, including deterrence, while accounting for the concerns of local communities.

? The SCC members reaffirmed that the relocation of III MEF personnel and dependents from Okinawa to Guam is dependent on tangible progress toward completion of the replacement facility. The relocation to Guam will realize the consolidation and return of most of the facilities south of Kadena.

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