Very narrow gap between pad and brake rotor
Its unclear to me what the actual problem is, apart from your feeling the pads are too close.
If they are not pulling back far enough and rubbing the disc all the time, it could be
stiffness just from being new and unused. Install them and ride...
You could try to lube the piston and seals (remove pads, squeeze out pistons and drip oil on them then work them in and out a few times a few times. Personally I would not bother unless I had a few miles on them and still had problems.
The issue of winter grime between the disc and pads will not go away or get better with a bigger gap.