The MBA and the homebuilding industry in the city of Seattle won a decisive victory recently. In the matter of Bendare Dundat v. City of Seattle (Master Builders Intervenor), Judge Barbara Mack issued a decision overturning the City's 'qualifying lot' design review ordinance for being in violation of RCW 82.02.020.

The Court determined that the ordinance imposes direct and indirect costs on projects and developers that are neither reasonably necessary nor the direct result of the proposed development. As the Court stated, "It is hard to fathom how costs and fees could be reasonable and necessary for the smaller project, but not for the first, more impactful project on the adjacent property." Finally, the Court found the city admitted that the ordinance was designed to mitigate collective impacts, not the impact of any individual project—this is the very thing that violates RCW 82.02.020.

The MBA is very happy to have been able to provide financial support to pursuing this matter in court, and the outcome is a collective benefit to developers and builders in Seattle. The MBA will continue to identify ways in which it can work to improve housing affordability within Seattle.

Contact: data@mbaks.com

The construction sector in Washington showed significant growth, with an increase of 5200 jobs between April 2022 and April 2023. The total employment in construction statewide reached 236,800, underscoring the industry's importance and contribution to the state's economy. Unemployment overall has remained low, with a rate of 3% in the Seattle/Bellevue/Everett area.

Read the full June Builders Bulletin:

Contact:
Stephanie Giralmo, Public Relations & Media Manager
Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties
p 425.457.7067

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MBAKS Promotes Jerry Hall to Serve as Executive Director

“For me, the importance of the association’s purpose is heartfelt and personal,” said Jerry Hall, Executive Director of MBAKS. “We are fortunate to live in a region that has enjoyed extraordinary economic success over the last few decades, yet, because the supply of housing did not keep pace with our growth, the cost of housing has reached unattainable levels for too many.”

Hall holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Whitman College and a Master’s in Business Administration from Harvard Business School. With decades of business leadership experience, he joined MBAKS in August of 2018, serving as its Chief Operating Officer. Shortly thereafter, he began serving as its Chief Financial Officer, and most recently as the organization’s Interim Executive Director.

“We are at a tipping point in our region and access to housing is becoming increasingly difficult” stated Hall. “I’m honored to be given the opportunity to lead the vital work MBAKS does in making home ownership possible for generations to come.”

About MBAKS

Founded in 1909 and headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS) is the nation’s oldest and largest local homebuilders’ association. Like our founders, our members continue to take a leading role in all facets of homebuilding and support the planning for a growing region. From new technology to advances in sustainability, from collaborative public policy efforts to investing in our communities, our commitment to a thriving, inclusive and well-planned region never wavers. We are the professional homebuilders, architects, remodelers, tradespeople (carpenters, framers, roofers, plumbers, electricians), planners and engineers, suppliers, manufacturers, and sales and marketing professionals in your community who believe everyone deserves access to a healthy and productive place to call home.

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