Petersburg Borough Assembly approves housing parcel vacation, 10% harbor-fee hike and zoning reading; several contracts awarded
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Summary
At its Feb. 17 meeting the assembly passed a third-reading ordinance vacating part of 7th Street to create a residential lot, adopted a 10% harbor-fee increase effective March 1, and approved a second reading to rezone a tideland parcel into the Marine Industrial Overlay; the body also approved two public-works awards.
The Petersburg Borough Assembly on Feb. 17 approved several measures intended to support housing, harbor operations and future maritime use.
The assembly unanimously passed Ordinance 2026-02 on its third reading to vacate a portion of the 7th Street right-of-way and consolidate that area with adjacent Block 275 to create a parcel intended for residential development. The planning commission had recommended approval. A member who has worked with the borough housing committee described the item as "the second of the three" small lots the committee identified, noting outstanding utility work is required before development can proceed.
In separate business the assembly adopted Ordinance 2026-03, a third-reading ordinance to increase municipal harbor moorage and use fees by 10%, effective March 1, 2026. Harbor Master Gloria Ann Wallen had urged the increase at public comment, saying the change "isn't meant to gouge anybody" and estimated it would amount to about $160,000 for the harbor. Members said they did not welcome higher rates but supported the measure because of the harbors' infrastructure costs and a prior harbor-board recommendation. Member Stan Greger said he would vote yes “as a harbor user,” adding he understood the necessity of the increase.
The assembly also passed the second reading of Ordinance 2026-04 to rezone a borough-owned tideland parcel as Tideland Industrial L-1 within the Marine Industrial Overlay subdistrict. Harbor Master Wallen told the assembly the overlay preserves marine-industrial uses and noted the borough is exploring leasing the parcel to American Cruise Line; the assembly discussed lease negotiations and said any lease would return to the assembly for approval.
Other formal actions included appointing Greg Browning to the public service advisory board through October 2026.
What happens next: Ordinance 2026-02 has cleared third reading and was approved for the assembly's intended conveyance and consolidation; the harbor fee increase takes effect March 1, 2026; any future lease for the Marine Industrial parcel will be returned to the assembly for review.