Assembly advances marine industrial overlay ordinance to preserve waterfront for marine support industries

The Petersburg Borough Assembly voted unanimously on April 7 to approve Ordinance 2025‑04, an amendment to chapter 19 of the Petersburg municipal code that establishes a marine industrial overlay zone within the industrial service area. If adopted in three readings, the ordinance will create an overlay intended to preserve specific waterfront parcels for marine and support industries.

Harbor Master Gloria Ann Wallen urged the Assembly during persons‑to‑be‑heard to move the overlay forward and preserve waterfront for the marine support industry rather than allowing unrestricted waterfront development. “Keeping a marine industrial overlay will keep precious waterfront available for the support industry for our marine and customer base,” Wallen said.

Assemblymember Lynn, who also serves as SEPA board chair, described the harbor board and staff’s long work on the overlay and noted the harbor board moved the measure forward. Member Chen Grego thanked the harbor board and said it was the right time to bring the ordinance forward for a public hearing. The motion to approve Ordinance 2025‑04 as written passed on roll call, 6–0.

The ordinance would add an overlay zone to the industrial zone (service area 1) and applies to the parcels shown in Exhibit A in the ordinance packet. The Assembly recorded no amendments at first consideration and scheduled the ordinance to proceed through the code amendment process, including the public hearing period required for zoning changes.

Ending: Assembly members invited affected stakeholders to testify at the upcoming public hearing; the ordinance will require two additional readings before final adoption.