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Petersburg advances wireless communications zoning ordinance; staff seeks detailed public comments
Summary
The assembly passed the first reading of a new ordinance to regulate wireless communication facilities, prioritizing colocation and conditional-use review. Planning and legal staff urged written public feedback before the June 1 public hearing.
On May 18 the Petersburg Borough Assembly passed the first reading of Ordinance 20 26-12, which creates a zoning and permitting framework for wireless communication facilities and other towers. The proposal treats such facilities as conditional uses in commercial and industrial zones, prioritizes colocation on existing towers and requires applicants to demonstrate infeasibility of alternatives before proposing new towers.
Planning Director Liz Cabrera summarized the ordinance and emphasized that it balances the community's need for reliable communications with public-safety and visual-impact concerns. "We are establishing a preference for colocation," she said, and noted the code will still exempt facilities where federal law requires it (ham antennas, satellite dishes).
Assembly members repeatedly urged residents with technical comments to submit written suggestions in advance of the June 1 public hearing so staff and legal counsel can incorporate or advise on comprehensive amendments rather than patchwork changes at the dais.
What happens next: The ordinance will undergo public hearing at the June 1 assembly meeting; staff asked commenters to provide detailed written feedback by May 25 to be included in the June packet.
