Kagman as residential area only (kicker) Legislature asked to clarify measure

The Division of Public Lands has asked the House of Representatives to clarify certain provisions of a proposed measure which will designate Kagman area as a residential community only because this will seriously affect current business operation in the village.

While she agrees with the intent of House Bill 12-164, DPL Director Bertha C. Leon Guerrero said the proposed measure should address all residential village subdivisions in accordance with the Village Homesteading Act of 1979 and not Kagman alone.

In a letter to Rep. Dino M. Jones, chair of the Committee on Natural Resources, Ms. Leon Guerrero said designating a central commercial shopping plaza in the community is a good idea for future development. However, the bill must consider certain exceptions such as a gas and service station in the vicinity and other essential services which may be considered commercial activities such as privately-owned health clinic or child day care facilities which can all be considered commercial activities but are essential for a community environment.

The bill will also allow established businesses in the Kagman community up to two years to relocate their businesses in the designated commercial area but makes an exception to family-owned convenience stores built into or adjacent to residential homes.

“Is it the intent of the bill to address certain businesses only? If so, family-owned convenience and grocery stores built into or adjacent to residential homes should be defined and identified,” said Ms. Leon Guerrero.

The DPL chief also recommended that the Department of Finance, Business License Office, be responsible in monitoring compliance of the restrictions imposed by the bill within our homestead subdivisions since any person who wishes to engage or conduct business in the CNMI must first obtain a business license with them.

The proposed measure should also state that only homesteaders who hold Certificate of Compliance and Quitclaim Deed from DPL will be allowed to engage or conduct business in the homestead subdivisions, Ms. Leon Guerrero said.

“At no time should be Business License Office issue a business license to those homesteaders without proof of their Quitclaim Deed document. Quitclaim Deeds are issued to homesteaders who have fully complied with the permit provisions. With this in mind, at least the true intent of the village homesteading program, which is to provide land for our people to build their houses, will not be disregarded,” she added. (LFR)