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Planning commission recommends sale of two Hagen Drive lots for rental housing
Summary
The Petersburg Borough Planning Commission voted to recommend that the Borough Assembly approve the sale of two borough-owned lots on Hagen Drive to applicant Dave Omer, who said he plans to build rental housing. Neighbors raised concerns about construction impacts and utilities.
The Petersburg Borough Planning Commission voted to recommend that the Borough Assembly approve the sale of borough-owned Lots 5 and 6, Block 78 Southeast Addition Subdivision (805 and 807 Hagen Drive), to applicant Dave Omer, who told commissioners he intends to build rental housing.
Applicant Dave Omer said there is “a desperate need” for rental housing in Petersburg and described rapid interest when he recently advertised units: “In 4 hours I had 19 calls… In 6 hours, I had 27 calls. In 2 days, I had 15 completed applications.” He told commissioners his plan is to build duplexes on the Hagen Drive lots to keep rents more affordable.
Resident Mary Clemens testified that the parcels back up to the home of Otis and Diane Marsh and urged the commission not to recommend sale at this time because the Marsh property has already been significantly affected by nearby hospital construction. Clemens said ongoing road and construction work have already changed the Marshes’ property and that additional construction adjacent to their home would be an added burden.
Resident Gary Alba asked about utilities for the Hagen Drive lots. Omer said water would require crossing the main waterline and that sewer “is close by,” though transcript testimony included a comment that some maps are uncertain. Commissioners discussed that the hospital was sited close to utilities and that proximity to utilities likely made the lots more attractive to a developer.
After discussion the commission moved to recommend sale of the two lots “along with the findings of fact and the report as presented.” The roll call recorded affirmative votes by Chris, Heather, Jim and John; Philip, Donald and Marita were recorded absent earlier in the meeting. The commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to the Borough Assembly for final action.
Commissioners and speakers repeatedly framed the proposal as a contribution toward addressing the borough’s rental shortage while acknowledging neighborhood concerns about concentrated construction near one residence and the cost of connecting utilities.
The commission did not approve any changes to zoning or conditions beyond the recommendation; the final authority on sale and any sale terms rests with the Borough Assembly.
