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May 10, 2007
deJongh vetoes St. John Zoning Variance Gov. John P. deJongh, Jr. Thursday vetoed legislation that would have granted a zoning variance to Parcel #11 at Estate Enighed, St. John known commonly as the SirenUSA development. DeJongh wrote in a transmittal letter to Senate President Usie R. Richards that "adherence to planning principles is necessary to successfully achieve our goal of maintaining balance between development and other interests in the community. This concern is heightened on St. John where the majority of the land has been dedicated to the National Park Service." DeJongh noted while the proposal may have had some beneficial economic impacts, "the Virgin Islands Zoning Code requirements were dispensed with, thus depriving parties of due process and demonstrating a disregard of existing law which my administration cannot condone." DeJongh further pointed out that specifically and without limitation, the suggested zoning variance contained in the bill is not authorized by any zoning laws of the Virgin Islands. In addition, the Governor said, "because the Virgin Islands has a finite amount of real property available for construction, especially on the island of St. John, the strictures of the Zoning Code must be observed to effectuate the policies set for therein." Since the zoning was passed by the 27th Legislature, Government House had received numerous requests from citizens and community group leaders urging a veto of the proposal. "The administration has established an open door and transparent government process and anything short of that will not be accepted," deJongh said. |
