HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-06-19 Public Comment - M. Egge - Ordinance 2014, Reducing Lot-Size MinimumsFrom:Mark Egge
To:Agenda
Subject:Ordinance No. 2014
Date:Monday, May 06, 2019 8:57:41 AM
Madame Mayor, Commissioners—
I'm writing in support of Ordinance No. 2014. Reducing our lot-size minimums for parcels
with single-household dwellings is an essential step in enabling a gradual increase in housingdensity across the city as we transition to a more urban environment.
That said, maintaining 4000 square foot lot size minimums is fairly redundant given our
minimum lot widths, lot coverage maximums, minimum setbacks, and off-street parkingrequirements. Eliminating the lot size minimums altogether might help produce a few more
units of “missing middle” affordable housing.
Assuming a 50’ wide lot and a garage (required for 2+ bedrooms by our off-street parkingminimums), 2100 SF of lot is required just for front and rear setbacks. A two-car garage
consumes 400 SF, and the side setbacks absorb an additional 20% of buildable square footage.Under these conditions, the maximum building footprint on a 4000 SF lot is 1120 SF.
It seems unlikely that a developer would often choose to create a lot size of less than 4000 SF
—but anything built on a lot of less than 4000 SF would be affordable. A single-story 800 SFhouse could be built on a 3500 SF lot—if allowed! These smaller lots are unlikely to become
ubiquitous, but it's almost certain that anything built on a lot of less than 4000 would beaffordable.
There are numerous smaller homes in the Northeast Neighborhood on lots of less than 4000
SF, and they contribute to the character and housing stock of the neighborhood. For example,the five houses from 401 North Ida Ave to 413 North Ida Ave are all on lots of less than 3500
SF (check them out on your way to City Hall tonight!), all provide off-street parking, and eachcould be a desirable starter home.
Let me leave you with a final question: given our lot-width minimums, off-street parking
requirements, and minimum setback requirements, what problem is a 4000 SF lot sizeminimum trying to solve? Is that problem more pressing than our community’s need for
affordable housing?
Thank you,
Mark Egge
From my 550 SF home at 542 N Black Ave, Bozeman, MT 59715