New ANEC platform launched to coordinate nuisance reports; zoning outlines blight enforcement and fines

The Commonwealth Zoning Office described a new interagency online platform called ANEC (Agencies on Nuisance and Environmental Concerns) that was launched in February to let regulatory agencies coordinate and track nuisance complaints in real time.

"It's an online platform that is, was launched in February," Zoning Administrator Theresa Gumrow said, explaining that ANEC lets participating agencies file reports with photos and documents, track progress and communicate about jurisdictional responses. The office said participating agencies include BCQ, the Saipan mayor's office, Department of Public Works (DPW), public health, Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Historic Preservation Office (HPO), and that more regulatory agencies will be invited to join.

In the same session, the office summarized the scope and enforcement mechanics of the Nuisance Abatement and Blighted Properties Maintenance Act of 2018. The zoning presentation listed conditions that qualify as blight: unsecured or abandoned buildings, junk or abandoned vehicles, nuisance vegetation (exceeding 15 inches across much of a parcel), accumulated garbage or debris and unsafe or unsanitary conditions that endanger public health or safety. The office said the act applies to public and private buildings and to improved or unimproved lots along primary roads and in tourist and industrial areas.

The presentation stated procedural requirements under the act: abatement notices must describe the nuisance, state the abatement deadline and explain the right to appeal to the Commonwealth Zoning Board. An owner or interested party may file a written appeal within 30 days of mailing or posting of the notice. If a property owner fails to abate, the Commonwealth may abate the nuisance and recover costs from the owner (contractor costs, use of Commonwealth equipment or personnel, administrative and court costs). The office said warning notices are issued 60 days before penalties for nonresidential/commercial properties and 90 days for residential properties; the first offense carries a minimum fine of $200 and second/subsequent offenses can incur penalties of up to $1,000 per day, as set in the act and its implementing regulations.

Zoning staff provided operational stats for blight enforcement: 41 total posted blighted properties; 17 properties whose owners requested compliance meetings; 9 requests for time extensions; 19 pending compliance; and 14 properties that had completed compliance at the time of the presentation. The zoning office said it is prioritizing inspections near highways, properties within 300 feet of schools/playgrounds/daycares, properties within tourist districts and across village centers.

During questions, legislators pressed the office on enforcement of government-owned properties, the process for junk-vehicle removal and environmental risk from abandoned vehicles. Administrator Gumrow said the enforcement process generally begins with investigation and posting of notice and that posting the property is sufficient notice if an owner cannot be located; after the notice period the office can refer abatement and cost recovery actions and coordinate with agencies such as DEQ (to investigate visible signs of contamination) and the mayor's office (to schedule vehicle removal). She added that ANEC is intended to reduce duplicative travel and improve interagency response times.

Ending: The zoning office said it will continue public outreach, expand ANEC participation, and coordinate with DEQ, the mayor's office and other agencies to address hazardous or contaminated sites and expedite abatement where public health risks exist.