Yumul urges caution on proposed zoning

A Saipan lawmaker has warned the CNMI Zoning Board against the possible harm that its proposed adult business regulations might cause current businesses.

Rep. Ray Yumul, vice chair of the House Committee on Commerce, said he has heard “lots of concerns” from affected businesses.

“It’s very disheartening. These businesses have long-term leases and they are worried of the impact the proposed rules and regulations will have on their businesses,” said Yumul in an interview.

“We hope we will not infringe on their rights,” said the lawmaker, noting that he will soon hold a meeting with the members of the board.

He said, though, that the board will be allowed to present its findings and recommendation on the issue.

“We will allow them to put together their findings,” he said.

For his part, Zoning Board administrator Steve Tilley said that the comment period for the proposed zoning regulations for adult businesses on Saipan has closed.

He said the board has not submitted yet the comments that were gathered during the public hearings to the Saipan Legislative Delegation.

“We’ll have to wait and see what the board wants to do with the comments,” said Tilley.

He said comments received during the regular and extended public comment periods came mainly from the affected businesses expressing objection to the zoning proposal.

“In terms of the number of comments, they mostly came from adult businesses,” said Tilley.

Recently, Zoning Board chair Henry S. Hofschneider expressed dismay over the lack of audience during public meetings organized by the board.

Hofschneider cited that only a father and daughter attended the San Antonio public meeting on Oct. 17 at 7pm.

About 10 people showed up in the Garapan meeting but this particular gathering was eventually canceled due to the non-availability of the facility.

A third meeting was held in Tanapag and was attended by nearly 20 people.

The Zoning Board had held a public hearing on the proposed zoning program on Sept. 22 at the Multi-Purpose Center, which was well-attended by affected businesses.

Tilley said earlier that the additional comment time was granted by the board to hear from other groups, not just the business people.

The proposed rules and regulationsm which would amend the zoning law, aim to contain adult businesses in two type of zones: overlay parks and business park.

New adult businesses would be allowed to locate only in these zones while existing adult businesses outside the two zones would be considered “nonconforming users.”

As nonconforming establishments, they would be asked to stop operations within one year unless an extension is approved.

The proposal said adult businesses include adult arcades, adult cabarets, adult motels, adult motion picture theaters, adult theaters, escort agencies, massage parlors, nude model studios, sex shops, and sexual encounter centers.

The proposed legislation would be enacted by the Saipan Local Delegation as an amendment to the Saipan Zoning law.

The Zoning Board also seeks to establish rules for managing the outdoor activities and appearance of adult businesses. The board says that signs for adult businesses should not advertise specified sexual activities, and any labels should always be in English.