Thank you for your recent story concerning the City of Renton’s practice of enforcing alleys as a mandatory component of all single-family development applications, despite language in city code stating that alleys are “preferred”  [“Preference for alleys becoming an issue with developers,” Renton Reporter, June 21, 2013]. We are glad to see the Renton Reporter call attention to this important issue.

However, the article suggests that the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties represents just one member on this issue.

That is incorrect. We in fact have more than a dozen builder members who have been affected by the alley issue. The manner in which the City of Renton is enforcing its code is creating a great deal of uncertainty for many builders, not just one.  Additionally, we believe the issue is discouraging those and other builders from even starting projects in Renton because of the uncertainty it creates.

Thank you again for your coverage of the issue.  We remain committed to working with the city to help find a solution.

Allison Butcher,
Public Affairs Director
Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties