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Developers ask council to ease street-width rules to lower improvement costs for new lots
Summary
Developers said a required road buildout was increasing lot improvement costs (an estimate discussed at $46,000), making small homes less affordable. Staff will measure and return with a proposal; council identified code sections (16.32 and 16.280.020) that may allow waivers.
Local builders presented a request to revisit required street improvements for a parcel at 189 North, 4th West. They described an estimated improvement cost of roughly $46,000 tied to right-of-way and sidewalk/curb requirements that make building smaller, lower-cost homes less feasible.
Developers asked the council to consider aligning the right-of-way and road width with neighboring parcels or to pursue a waiver under Preston code (examples cited included 16.32 and 16.280.020). Staff and council agreed the next step is for city engineering and planning staff to survey the site, analyze options (including potential sidewalk/park-strip/curb adjustments), and return with a formal recommendation at a future meeting.
Why it matters: narrowing road or granting a waiver could materially reduce lot improvement costs and support more affordable single-family construction, but it also affects long-term street standards and connectivity.
