Petersburg’s Tribe, the Petersburg Indian Association, is hoping to develop a subdivision for Tribal citizens and the general public. Petersburg Borough’s Planning Commission voted unanimously last week to recommend that the borough sell nearly eight acres of its land to the Tribe. The recommendation comes amid a housing shortage in Petersburg.
In a survey conducted earlier this year, the Borough’s Housing Task Force found the town will need more than 300 new or refurbished homes in Petersburg over the next decade. Petersburg Indian Association Council President Cris Morrison told the Planning Commission that the Tribe is looking at long-term development of rental properties.
“Something to keep in mind is that these lots are not going to be developed overnight,” she said. “And we, the council will have to develop a plan for what is done, where we have to get infrastructure in and then we have to get building funds and we may be looking at 20-30 years.”
But she says the first units could be move-in ready within five years or so. The subdivision could include somewhere between 40 and 60 units, depending on the mix of single-family homes and duplexes. And there is the possibility of a couple single-story apartment buildings for the elderly and those with mobility issues. The rentals will likely include some affordable housing units. They would be available to all, but Tribal citizens would have preference.
PIA plans to use federal stimulus money through the American Rescue Plan Act to install sewer, water, and electric lines within the next year. That infrastructure would make the project “shovel-ready,” and eligible for capital grants.
The land sits on either side of North 8th Street and straddles a popular walking trail that connects downtown Petersburg with the ball field and whale observatory. Morrison told the commission that the plan leaves the trail in Borough ownership.
“It does carve out where the trail is because PIA is not interested in owning the land where that trail is,” she said. “We want that to remain in Borough hands.”
The PIA Council has not approved a design for the subdivision. But Morrison stressed that the development would blend in with the area around it.
“[We want] to have a very nice neighborhood feel,” she said. “And when you drive through, it’s not going to be startling.”
The Borough Assembly will vote on whether to move forward with the land sale at their December 4th meeting. If they decide to do so, they will then vote whether to sell the land by public auction, or directly to the tribe. Each decision requires only one vote to move forward.
If the sale is made directly to the tribe, it will be up to the Assembly to decide whether Borough Manager Steve Geisbrecht should negotiate a price below the assessed value. At a meeting in early June, the assembly passed an ordinance adding federally recognized Tribes to the list of entities that can buy Borough property for less than its assessed value if they can prove they’ll use the land for public good. In August, the Borough sold PIA a small parcel of land on 12th Street for about 15% below its assessed value, voting unanimously in favor of the move.
