Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The current Zoning Board of American Samoa (ZBAS) appointed in January this year is taking firm steps to address complaints from the public regarding commercial structures being built in the middle of their residential neighborhoods, particularly on the western side of Tutuila.

The ZBAS is now making site visits on all incoming requests for commercial variances in residential neighborhoods before deciding to grant a variance.

Pictured are ZBAS members Taesali Matagi (Eastern District Appointee) on the left and Tavita Tili (Manu'a District Appointee).

This photo was taken on the Ripley family's front porch in Fagaima overlooking a commercial warehouse that has been leased by local businessman and faipule Fetu Fetui, Jr. who is in a business partnership with Chinese businessman Xian Xiu.

According to Zoning Board members who visited the site yesterday, work is already underway by the Fetu-Xiu partnership to build another warehouse next to the existing one despite a stop order from the Project Notification & Review System (PNRS).

A Zoning Board meeting is reportedly set for this morning to review the variance as well as other applications.

Notable: The ZBAS is waiting for the Attorney General to enforce this stop order and many others previously issued on other projects.

"Wake up Samoa do you want a view like this from your porch?" asked ZBAS member Taesali Matagi.