Planning commission recommends sale and rezoning of two borough lots to support housing near Skylark Trailer Park

The Petersburg Borough Planning and Zoning Commission voted to recommend that the borough assembly approve the sale of two borough-owned parcels (Government Lots 26 and 27, P01028150 and related parcel) to a developer associated with Skylark Park and to initiate rezoning those parcels from Open Space/Recreation to Single Family Mobile Home.

Erica Warhatch, speaking as a resident, said she received notice but "the map's kind of old" and asked where property boundaries are and why the sale process would not go to public bid. Staff member Liz told the commission that the assembly decides the sale method and that the lot-sale process is new for these parcels; she also confirmed a $500 nonrefundable application fee to apply to purchase borough property.

Commissioners debated access and utility-readiness, noting that a related subdivision item had been postponed and that utilities and road connections would be addressed when the larger development returns to the agenda. One commissioner said the lots appear adjacent to Skylark Trailer Park and could be served by extending existing roads, while another observed a green-space designation near the site.

The commission moved to recommend sale conditioned on rezoning and later separately voted to initiate the rezoning process; both motions passed by roll-call votes. Commissioners said initiating rezoning will allow staff to send notice to surrounding property owners and begin the public-review steps; the final sale and rezoning require borough-assembly approval.