Westbrook residents will have a chance to speak to the Planning Board Tuesday about design standards they believe should be upheld for people building on small lots.

After receiving complaints about houses built on so-called substandard lots of record – 5,000-square-foot lots that were subdivided before the current 7,500-square-foot minimum was put in place – that didn’t fit into neighborhoods, the City Council considered not allowing those lots to be built upon any longer.

However, both the Planning Board and the City Council heard from many residents who bought those lots with the intention of building. They said they’ve invested money in these lots, which will be worthless if they can’t be built on.

In May, the City Council asked the Planning Board to come up with design standards that would address the architecture and size of houses built on small lots so that the lots can remain buildable, but wouldn’t change the look of a neighborhood.

The Planning Board is holding a public hearing Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Room 114 of Westbrook High School to have those standards discussed. The board could also vote on a recommendation to the City Council at that meeting.