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10/14/2025 - Commonwealth Zoning Board member and Garapan business owner Steve Jang appealed to lawmakers this week to give local entrepreneurs more time as they struggle to stay afloat in what he described as the CNMI’s “ICU economy.”
Speaking during the public comments section of the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation session last Oct. 8, Jang said that while he supports efforts to improve Garapan’s image and environmental compliance, a proposed zoning bill would impose new burdens on car rental companies and small businesses already reeling from slow tourism and high costs.
“I appreciate the intent of this spirit to improve the image of our tourist area and ensure environmental compliance. However, as a local business owner operating in the Marianas, especially in Garapan, I urge the legislator to consider the brutal reality that many small businesses are facing right now. Our economy remains fragile.”
Jang, who formerly ran Ete Café in Garapan, said he was forced to close the shop because of poor business.
“Even for my shop, I'm closed. I haven't closed in five years. I've even been losing money. I stayed open. But the cafe, I closed. I have no choice, no customers. Even at dinner time, I have not even one table open. But I'm not going to give up. It's all my investments in here. My last breath is going to be in Saipan. I'm never going to give up,” he said.
He also warned that new zoning restrictions could put car rental operators out of business by forcing them to move vehicle cleaning and staging operations away from their main offices.
“That is a good idea. However, when you do that, the business has to come up with another location, more staffing, and more cost. Basically, it will just put them out of business. To me, right now is not the time. It's the wrong timing.”
Jang said that in South Korea, the CNMI’s main tourism market, “Saipan right now is considered a ghost town,” adding that CNMI businesses are “very critical right now. And let's not kick them.”
House Local Bill 24-11, introduced by Rep. Joseph Flores, sought to delete Section 1211 of the Saipan Zoning Law of 2013, which currently restricts auto rental offices from staging or servicing vehicles within the Garapan Core and tourist resort districts. The provision was added in 2020 to address congestion and safety hazards caused by
rental cars occupying sidewalks and easements.
Zoning officials, however, opposed the bill’s complete repeal. Acting zoning administrator Yubert Alepuyo told lawmakers that the board is already preparing an amendment that would allow limited car rental staging in the Garapan East district—while keeping restrictions in the core tourist zone to preserve pedestrian safety and the area’s revitalized image.
Alepuyo said the zoning office intends to complete the amendment by the end of the year and asked lawmakers to defer action in the meantime.
“Our office requests that you just allow us time to further complete the amendments and share them back with the committee.”
Several legislators agreed that while the restrictions may have been necessary before, the island’s economy is still recovering, and businesses need leeway. Rep. Marissa Flores said zoning should work with other agencies like the Department of Public Lands and Department of Public Works to coordinate enforcement while supporting struggling entrepreneurs.
Other members, including Reps. Angelo Camacho and Julie Ogo, recommended that zoning temporarily suspend enforcement against car rental operators who received violation notices while amendments are pending.
By the end of the session, the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation voted to table House Local Bill 24-11, pending zoning’s submission of its proposed amendments and report.
Report by Mark Rabago
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