Commission debates marine-industrial overlay for port area; postpones recommendation to January

The Petersburg Borough Planning Commission opened a lengthy public hearing and discussion about a proposed Marine Industrial Overlay (Section 19.5) covering the port-dock area and the Scalby Bay turnaround. The commission initially received a motion to recommend adding Section 19.5 to Title 19 and to forward that to the borough assembly, but members later voted to continue the matter and revisit it at the January meeting.

Public testimony diverged. A long-time area resident who said they had recently purchased property in the port area urged the commission not to adopt a strict ‘‘marine only’’ overlay, saying it would be difficult to define and potentially restrictive for existing uses. That resident asked, “If you're going to try to make it strictly marine, who's going to say what's marine related? Who's going to say it isn't?” and argued existing businesses in the area are already marine-related in practice.

Harbor Master Wallen urged support for the overlay, saying waterfront land is finite and should be protected for water-dependent uses. Wallen said the waterfront’s value stems from its location "on the water side of the main highway," and described operational advantages for marine businesses that rely on dock access and waterfront adjacency. He said the overlay would “identify the needs associated for a community that is based upon marine industrial use” and could slow non-water-dependent businesses from displacing marine activity.

Commission discussion referenced text in the proposed overlay ordinance, including provisions that would allow retail uses when the predominant business is marine-related and a caveat (noted as 19.6(a) in the hearing record) that existing businesses would not be forced to change but could be limited from expanding beyond their current footprint. Commissioners noted the term “marine” can be broad, and one commissioner said it is effectively about identifying water-dependent uses, especially commercial fishing, and that the commission should provide clear direction on allowable uses.

After public comment and extended discussion, a motion to add Section 19.5 (the Marine Industrial Overlay) to Title 19 was made and seconded. Commissioners then agreed to postpone further action; a subsequent motion to continue the conversation to the January meeting carried on a recorded affirmative vote. The commission asked staff to place the overlay item on the January agenda so the commission can solicit additional input, including from maritime stakeholders and the property owner referenced in the hearing.

Why it matters: the overlay would formally identify and protect waterfront parcels for marine- and water-dependent activities, shaping what types of businesses can operate at the port and adjacent turnaround. Proponents say it protects marine-industrial capacity; some residents worry it could constrain mixed uses that have historically existed at the waterfront.

Next steps: staff will place the Marine Industrial Overlay (Section 19.5) on the commission’s January agenda for further discussion and possible action after additional input from stakeholders.