Assembly approves negotiation to sell nine borough lots to Greg and Heidi Johnson after debate over Planning Commission process

The Petersburg Borough Assembly on April 21 voted to advance a land-purchase application from Greg and Heidi Johnson and directed the borough manager to negotiate the sale terms.

The assembly vote followed lengthy discussion about procedural fairness after the Planning Commission failed to obtain a second on the Johnson application at its March 11 meeting. Member Newman, speaking on the assembly floor, criticized the Planning Commission’s handling of the application and urged the assembly to proceed. “First off, I would like to say that as an, as Assembly members, we are tasked with the social obligation or responsibility to look at things objectively and not subjectively,” Newman said, adding his view that the Johnsons’ proposal met the housing needs identified in the borough’s housing needs assessment.

The ordinance-like application involves nine parcels described in the packet as Lots 6–10, Block 255 Northeast Subdivision and Lots 2–5 Scenic View Subdivision (the latter unrecorded). The Johnsons asked that the parcels be offered for sale as a block; the staff noted Lots 2–5 will likely require subdivision and rezoning before sale.

Greg Johnson addressed the assembly during the public-comment period before the formal application discussion. Johnson described his background as a developer and said buying the parcels in a single block would allow him to spread infrastructure costs. “It’s important that I'm able to purchase this packet, at parcels of land in a group, so that I can afford to put in the utilities and the street and improvements,” he said. He said improvements would likely cost at least as much as the land.

Several assembly members voiced concern about the Planning Commission process. Member Marsh said he had reviewed the Planning Commission meeting and was “stunned” to see the lack of a second while commissioners discussed the application. Member Stan Greger moved to refer the Johnson application back to Planning and Zoning for a formal recommendation, but the referral motion failed for lack of a second.

Member Lynn and others said that although clearer Planning Commission action would have been preferable, the assembly must act on applications presented to it. Member Swartz said no public commenters had come forward at this meeting to oppose the Johnson application. Member Newman emphasized the application’s alignment with the borough’s stated housing priorities and the Johnsons’ development experience.

After discussion the assembly adopted the motion to proceed, instructing the borough manager to negotiate the sale and return final terms for assembly approval. The motion passed 5–1; the meeting record notes Member Stan Greger opposed the motion.

The record shows the Johnson application was originally submitted on Dec. 11, 2024; a competing application from David Mazzella was submitted Dec. 13, 2024 and had previously received a Planning Commission recommendation. Assembly members noted the sequence of filings while debating whether the Johnson proposal should be favored on a first-come basis. The assembly chair also stated that if the manager negotiates terms with the Johnsons, the final sale would return to the assembly for approval.

What’s next: The borough manager will enter negotiations with Greg and Heidi Johnson; any negotiated sale terms, platting or rezoning requirements, and final price will be returned to the assembly for formal approval.