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.
\nOscar 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\u2019s vicinity\u2014a claim that was denied by an official of the company.<\/p>\n
\u201cI 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,\u201d Babauta said during the public hearing for Tasi Homes LLC\u2019s application for qualifying certificate.<\/p>\n
According to Babauta, if this report is true, these foreign film outfits are being charged \u201cdouble\u201d for their beach activities because necessary permitting fees have already been paid to DPL.<\/p>\n
CDA executive director Manuel Sablan told Saipan Tribune that CDA is not the proper authority to look into the matter because the agency\u2019s jurisdiction over Sandy Beach Homes stopped after the expiration of the company\u2019s qualifying certificate last year.<\/p>\n
Sandy Beach Homes LLC manager Mike Sablan clarified with Saipan Tribune the company\u2019s boundaries in the area.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 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,\u201d he said in an email.<\/p>\n
With respect to the use of SBH\u2019s private premises within the property boundaries, Sablan said SBH may charge for filming and other activities.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis 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,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to Sablan, perhaps there is some misunderstanding as to where SBH\u2019s private property boundaries lie.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 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,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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