News Summary
In San Diego, pro-housing advocates are urging the City Council to consider eliminating minimum lot size requirements to facilitate affordable housing development. Research suggests that smaller lots could lead to the construction of up to 4,000 new homes and increase city tax revenue significantly. While similar approaches have succeeded in cities like Houston, the proposal is currently under consideration and may reshape the housing landscape, addressing the ongoing crisis of affordability and community needs.
San Diego – Pro-housing advocates are urging the City Council to consider a proposal aimed at reducing residential lot sizes as a strategy to lower home prices and boost tax revenue for the city. A coalition of housing groups gathered outside City Hall to present supporting research during a recent news conference.
Currently, over 80% of San Diego has a minimum lot size requirement of 5,000 square feet, a regulation that has been in effect since 1923. The proposal put forth by the coalition, backed by research from London Moeder Advisors, suggests that eliminating this minimum lot size requirement entirely could lead to a significant increase in the number of homes built in areas predominantly designated for single-family residences.
Housing advocates highlighted that smaller lot sizes would typically enable developers to offer homes at more affordable price points than traditional single-family homes on larger lots. Similar adjustments to zoning laws have been successful in other cities, such as Houston, Texas, which reduced its minimum lot size requirement from 5,000 square feet to 1,400 square feet in 1998.
According to estimates from London Moeder Advisors, the potential transformation of zoning laws in San Diego could result in the development of up to 4,000 new properties, generating an estimated tax revenue of $430 million for the city. The projected annual tax benefits from changing the zoning laws could range between $10 million and $43 million, contingent upon property development rates.
Ricardo Flores, the executive director of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation, emphasized the positive impact of homeownership on community stability and wealth generation. In line with this perspective, the report presented two- to three-story single-family homes and townhouses as examples of denser developments that could fit within the proposed “light density” category.
The proposal has also included safeguards to address potential concerns for existing residents, including a requirement for at least one parking space per new home. Advocates stress that maintaining financial feasibility in developments is crucial; thus, mandatory subsidized housing will not be required in any new projects.
Additionally, the report examined average lot sizes across various neighborhoods, including Clairemont, La Jolla, and Point Loma, revealing figures ranging from 7,636 to 12,396 square feet. The coalition supporting the proposal, which includes groups such as Rise Up Residential and YIGBY San Diego, argues that smaller lot sizes are essential for providing affordable and diverse housing options to meet the needs of San Diego’s growing population.
The proposed revisions to zoning laws are still under consideration by the City Council, and there is no assurance that the proposal will be adopted. In the past, Mayor Todd Gloria had withdrawn a plan to implement Senate Bill 10, which would have permitted up to ten units on a single-family lot, indicating a complex relationship between housing policy initiatives and city governance.
The ongoing housing affordability crisis has compelled various stakeholders to advocate for policy changes. Nicole Lillie, representing the youth-led nonprofit Our Time to Act, has highlighted the alarming trend of young people leaving San Diego due to the escalating housing costs. The coalition contends that modifying lot size requirements could play a pivotal role in addressing this critical issue.
As the City Council prepares to evaluate the proposal, the potential for reduced lot sizes to reshape not only the landscape of San Diego’s housing market but also its tax base and overall community dynamics remains a significant topic among city planners and residents.
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Additional Resources
- San Diego Union Tribune: Will Smaller San Diego Lot Sizes Solve Housing Woes?
- NBC San Diego: City Council Repeals Housing Minimum Lot Size Footnote
- Planetizen: San Diego Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule
- Wikipedia: Housing in San Diego
- Google Search: San Diego housing policy
