Realtors and residents debate repeal of Belleville minimum-home-size rule

Representatives from regional realtor associations and several residents urged the Belleville City Council on July 6 to reconsider a municipal minimum‑square‑footage requirement for single‑family homes.

Ron Diedrich, local government affairs director at Illinois Realtors, said the ordinance adopted two years ago created hardship for many older Belleville homes and small apartments, and that repealing the minimum would restore alignment with other zoning and building codes. “When you pass an ordinance like that… it essentially made countless numbers of your homes in town” noncompliant, Diedrich said, urging final passage of a repeal.

Tricia Doyle, representing the Southwestern Illinois Board of Realtors, told council the 1,000‑square‑foot minimum hurts first‑time buyers and seniors who want smaller, accessible homes. “Allowing smaller square footage homes isn't about lowering standards,” Doyle said. “A smaller home can be built beautifully with high quality materials that enhance neighborhood value.”

Several speakers, including Alex Boroski, argued smaller lot sizes and greater density can improve affordability and reduce infrastructure costs per capita. Council acknowledged the Zoning Board of Appeals had recommended approval of a text amendment to repeal the minimum‑size subsection; the council moved the item forward consistent with that recommendation. No final ordinance reading changing the code was enacted at this meeting; several related zoning ordinance readings were slated to return for final reading at a subsequent meeting.