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Board backs more family-oriented Garapan
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Posted on Apr 01 2005
The Saipan Zoning Board wants Garapan transformed into a more family-oriented, tourist-friendly area, according to its chairman, William Concepcion.
The board met yesterday at the Coastal Resources Management office and determined that Garapan has too many massage parlors, adult-oriented bars and bookshops, and poker establishments, which the board believes are detrimental to its blueprint for the area.
To alleviate the problem, the board agreed on a plan to survey the area to find out exactly how many of its tenants comply with the law on land use. The survey would, in turn, help the board identify establishments that should be retained in the Garapan revitalization plan.
The board will be coordinating closely with Marianas Public Land Authority for a more effective zoning of Garapan, with CRM assisting in the cleanup.
CRM deputy director Steve Tillei said he would extend his office’s assistance in giving workshops to help the board in their zoning plans.
The Saipan Zoning Board was formed last February to divide areas on Saipan into zones subject to different restrictions.
The board decided to focus on Garapan first before moving on to other areas because they want it to become more tourist-friendly.
Aside from Concepcion, other members of the Saipan Zoning Board are Henry Hofschneider, Rex Kosack, Maria Pangelinan, Herminia Fusco, and Isidoro Cabrera. David Igitol was not present in the meeting; the board said he is not yet an official member. The meeting was also attended by legal counsel Jeffrey Moots and special advisor for CIP management Charles Jordan.
