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Planning commission approves garage‑setback variance and begins drafting tower overlay, data‑center rules
Summary
The commission approved a variance allowing a garage built 5 feet from property lines and took initial steps to draft a communications-facility overlay (including a proposed 110% safety setback) and a data‑center ordinance tied to local power capacity and harbor planning.
The Petersburg Borough Planning and Zoning Commission approved a variance permitting a garage on a property tied to Eric Freundberg’s application and discussed drafting two separate ordinances: a communications-facility overlay and a data‑center ordinance tied to power-availability and marine planning.
Applicant Eric Freundberg appeared and said he planned garage walls “at 5 feet from the property line, but the eaves would be at 3 feet,” explaining the layout and why he requested relief from standard setbacks. Staff and a commissioner noted that a 5‑foot setback is standard practice for separation, snow and runoff considerations and fire-code consistency. The commission moved to approve resolution 2026-603 to permit construction no closer than 5 feet from property lines; a roll-call vote recorded unanimous support.
Commissioners then took up a proposed communications-facility (tower) overlay. The sponsor read a draft definition and proposed provisions, including a 110% setback clause: “any tower base must be situated on a parcel such that it is set back a minimum of 110% of the total transmitter or tower height from all property lines and the boundary lines of any public road or right of way,” the sponsor said, framing the rule as a safety measure.
Members discussed sequencing and coordination: staff recommended waiting to finalize the overlay until borough assembly action on base cell-tower language, and commissioners asked Power and Light (and harbor staff) for data on transformer capacity and marine impacts so the data‑center ordinance can be aligned with utility limits and waterfront planning. A commissioner proposed a multidisciplinary work session to bring Power and Light, harbor staff and other stakeholders together before drafting final ordinance language.
Why it matters: The variance approval affects a single property but follows the commission’s stated practice on setbacks; the tower-overlay and data‑center discussions signal potential near-term policy changes that would guide where towers and large commercial power users may be sited in the borough.
What’s next: Staff said applications will be scheduled for the August meeting; commissioners asked staff to invite Power and Light and harbor staff to brief the commission so the overlay and data‑center rules reflect available utility capacity and waterfront planning.
