On Oct. 20, 2025, the Petersburg Borough Assembly voted 6-0 to exempt two borough-owned lots (Lots 5 and 6, Block 78, Southeast Edition) from public sale and authorized the borough manager to negotiate directly with applicant Dave Omer; final terms will return to the assembly for approval.

Several neighbors spoke during public hearing. Mary Clemens, a Fram Street resident, said she supports additional housing but asked the assembly to delay this sale because the Marsh family — whose home backs the lots in question — has already experienced impacts from nearby hospital construction and parking work. Clemens said, “When I first got the letter from the borough about the application, my heart sank for Diane and Otis Marsh.”

Chris Marsh, who identified himself as representing himself and as a volunteer firefighter, urged caution. Marsh said the planned construction of two duplexes could place four families close to a busy stretch of road and said, “I’m torn between money and duty… Two duplexes with families and children, there will be an accident at some point in time.”

Assembly discussion focused on the borough’s housing shortage alongside neighborhood concerns. One assemblymember said Omer “has a solid track record of providing rentals in our community” and that the borough should act to increase housing supply. Another member asked that the developer and the nearby hospital be encouraged to be “good neighbors” to reduce the neighborhood impacts.

Legal and procedural background: Borough code section 16.12.0.08(e) governs whether the assembly moves an application forward or denies it; if exempted from public sale, the manager may negotiate directly with the applicant and return final terms to the assembly for approval.

Outcome: The assembly’s motion to exempt the application from public sale and authorize direct negotiation passed 6-0. The manager is authorized to negotiate final terms with Mr. Omer, with those terms to be presented for assembly approval.

Provenance: The public hearing, public comment from nearby residents, planning commission recommendation and the assembly’s action occurred on Oct. 20, 2025.