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Committee hears Affordable Housing Streamlined Zoning Act; agencies recommend amendments on sewer, timelines and staffing
Summary
The committee held public testimony on an Affordable Housing Streamlined Zoning Act (referred in testimony as bill 164-38), with sponsors and housing advocates urging faster rezoning to meet housing demand and agencies urging amendments to protect the Northern Guam aquifer, require sewer connections or suitable wastewater systems and to fund technical staffing.
The committee heard sponsor testimony and extensive public comment on the Affordable Housing Streamlined Zoning Act (referred in testimony as bill 164-38 (transcript references 160-438 COR / 164-38)). Sponsors and housing advocates said the bill would shorten rezoning timelines for projects targeting low- and moderate-income households, while agencies urged amendments to protect water resources and to build administrative capacity.
Sponsor Senator Tina Rose Munia Barnes read a statement emphasizing a 10-year land-use restriction to keep housing affordable and said the bill “strikes the right balance between cutting red tape and maintaining…protections for our aquifer and critical resources.” The sponsor framed the bill as a response to an escalating housing shortage and invited legislative support for faster, accountable pathways to build affordable units.
Micronesia Community Development…
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