Assembly advances comp plan

The Petersburg Borough Assembly advanced the borough’s comprehensive plan Monday evening.

The plan outlines and recommends strategies for borough management and the development of transportation, economy, recreation and tourism over the next two decades.

The plan is several years in the making. A consulting firm in Anchorage, hired to update the borough’s plan, met with community members during that time, took surveys, interviewed citizens and received public comment.

Planning and Zoning (P&Z) member Dave Kensinger attended the assembly’s February 22 meeting to speak to any questions relating to several amendments the commission made last month and to remind the public that the plan is not a static document.

“If there’s something in here that someone has real particular heartburn over, and I’m sure there’s something in here that everybody could pick out that they have heartburn over, I just want to remind the community at large that everything in here is subject to change in revision by this body (Borough Assembly) and by the voters if they so choose.”

The P&Z amendments include adding language to allow existing float houses in the borough and to consider a conditional use permit for potential new float homes.

Another amendment requests the inclusion of zoning and development requirements for ‘tiny houses,’ including multiple dwellings on a single lot.

“We believe the borough should consider allowing for these homes in certain zoning districts and specify development/building requirements,” the memo states.

The Harbor Board and the Petersburg Economic Development Council also wanted to add language that would prioritize the construction of a new ramp in Scow Bay.

Borough Assembly member Jeigh Stanton Gregor echoed Kensinger before voting to approve the plan.

“Do I think it’s a perfect document?” Stanton Gregor asked. “No. I think it’s a good blend of a lot of opinions, which means most of us have something we’re not overly thrilled with but nothing’s set in stone. It is an outline and I thank the planning commission for the effort they put in.”

The Borough Assembly unanimously approved the plan in its first reading. The Assembly will hear public testimony on its second reading in March and the ordinance approving the plan will officially pass during its third reading later that month.

A hard copy of the plan can be obtained at the municipal building or can be downloaded on the borough’s website.