Zoning committee tables bill on nonconforming car rental offices, seeks more information

The Zoning Committee of the Commonwealth Legislature in Saipan tabled House Local Bill 24‑11 for further review and directed staff to request additional documents from the bill’s author and to invite zoning staff to discuss their written comments.

House Local Bill 24‑11 seeks to amend the Site and Zoning Law of 2013 (section 12‑11) concerning nonconforming auto rental offices with vehicles. Committee members said the bill is intended to provide clarity for the industry and to allow existing car rental operators that predate the Paseo area construction to park vehicles on the leased premises they occupy.

Representative Danita K. Yanktemai raised parking concerns in the Paseo area, telling the committee that existing customer parking could be reduced if rental companies use designated stalls to store rental vehicles: “If the car rentals are to use those stalls up for their cars, there won't be any parking for those customers that come to… the services there.”

Committee members said they had received written comments from the zoning office (dated July 10) but wanted a face‑to‑face dialogue between zoning and the bill’s author to clarify the zoning office letter and the bill’s intent. Representative Joe Flores was identified as the bill’s author and committee members asked the author to provide additional documents and attend a future meeting to explain justifications and operational specifics.

The chair moved to table House Local Bill 24‑11 pending receipt of additional documentation and a zoning office appearance; the motion carried on voice vote. The transcript records a motion to table the bill “for further review of the bill and to receive additional documents from the author and hopefully invite him to provide better clarity on the intent and some justifications.” No roll‑call vote was recorded in the meeting transcript.

The committee adjourned after tabling the bill.