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Houston's 325sqm minimum lot size
- danielsimpkins0
- Jan 8, 2024
- 2 min read
All the way back in 1998 (and expanded in 2013) Houston, Texas reduced their minimum lot size in residential zones from 464sqm down to 325sqm.
This provides a compelling comparison to the argument the great Australian dream needs a 450sqm block. Houston went away from that 24 years ago!
There has been research by the Pew Institute on this policy reform.
“The research found single-family-to-town house (“SF2TH”) conversions did not result in sweeping changes to neighbourhood character and that redevelopment was unlikely on any given residential lot in Houston. Just 0.5% of all single-family parcels underwent SF2TH conversion, with the typical case involving replacement of an old, small single-family home on a large lot with four larger town houses that were affordable to families with moderate incomes.”
This equates to 1,392 lots out of the 32,000 town houses built between 2007 and 2020. Not a housing crisis silver bullet.
The other interesting policy that was applied when the minimum lot size was reduced was the opportunity for landowners to ‘opt-out’ of the rules.
“Homeowners could vote to incorporate their block into one of two special districts, exempting them from one (or both) of the minimum-lot-size or setback requirements. Once the special district is incorporated, homeowners may enact any minimum lot sizes or setbacks, provided that at least 70% of existing properties meet the new requirements, and those rules remain in effect for 40 years.”
The research found only 4.7% of lots had been ‘opted-out’ between 2007 and 2020. However, these ‘opt-outs’ were concentrated in the high demand neighbourhoods. All the same, Pew argues that “despite the often-contentious debates surrounding land-use changes, most homeowners are unwilling or unable to effectively halt new development.”
I am not sure we could apply an ‘opt-out’ under the local environmental plans and the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. But, it is interesting.
Next time someone says we need a minimum lot size of 450sqm or bigger, ask them why we need it bigger than the big hat country of Houston, Texas.
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