If you want to build a house in Unalaska, you need to have a decent amount of land to work on. That could change soon, since the city is considering a rule change that would allow for smaller lots.

Planning Director Erin Reinders says that smaller lots could mean more housing for the community.

“Let’s just pretend that you had a pretty simple lot that was 12,000 square feet that was zoned to allow for single family or duplex residential,” says Reinders. “Now, you would be able to subdivide, sell off half of that property, and develop that for another single family unit or a duplex.”

The ordinance change would set the minimum lot size at 6,000 square feet.

Reinders adds that there are some practical considerations to making that change, like “making sure there’s still enough room for parking, making sure that snow removal can still be done in an appropriate fashion, and that utilities can be routed effectively”

Additionally, the city is also considering changes to the ordinances covering utility and drainage easements and sideyard setbacks.