Each election cycle, our Affordable Housing Council (AHC) interviews candidates at the city, county, and state levels to determine their degree of support for our industry.

The following candidates have received an AHC endorsement for the 2021 election cycle. 

Ballots will be mailed out Wednesday, July 14 and are due Tuesday, August 3. Your vote in support of AHC-endorsed candidates will go a long way toward affecting the outcome of these critical races. 

For dropbox locations, ballot questions, and more, visit King County Elections or Snohomish County Elections.

Media Contact:
Nona Raybern, PR & Media Manager
Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties
p 425.457.7067
m 425.208.6308

Master Builders Association Names Brian Holtzclaw President of Board of Directors

Born and raised in Washington state, Holtzclaw has been a practicing lawyer since 1993. His main interests have revolved around development and land use issues in the Pacific Northwest, focusing on meeting the ever-rising demand for housing across all segments of the market. He holds a law degree from the University of Puget Sound School of Law (now Seattle University) and a degree in economics from Whitman College.

The newly inducted Board of Directors will be rounded out with 1st Vice President Todd Levitt (Murray Franklyn Family of Companies), 2nd Vice President Cameron McKinnon (Gamut360 Holdings), Secretary Luellen Smith (Rhino Wine Cellars & Cooling Systems), and Immediate Past President Bonnie Geers (Quadrant Homes).

Holtzclaw currently serves as in-house counsel for Village Life, a community and housing development firm, as well as mayor pro tem for the city of Mill Creek in Snohomish County. MBAKS is thrilled to have his expertise to guide the Board of Directors into the new decade.

Founded in 1909, the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS) has grown to become the largest local residential homebuilders association in the United States. With more than 2,700 member companies, the association is dedicated to membership value, housing advocacy, community service, and financial stewardship throughout the Puget Sound region.

Visit MBAKS Connect for our full analysis of Seattle’s updated Comprehensive Plan.

On Tuesday, Dec. 16, the Seattle City Council adopted its updated Comprehensive Plan, a key requirement of the state’s Growth Management Act (GMA) that sets the city’s 20-year vision. The plan will guide local decisions related to housing, land use, and other priorities to align with Seattle’s long-term goals and community values.

A key update in the Comprehensive Plan is its alignment with House Bill 1110, enacted by the State Legislature more than two years ago. HB 1110 requires local jurisdictions to allow for a broader spectrum of housing choices, including duplexes, townhomes, stacked flats, courtyard apartments, and cottage housing. The law allows for a minimum of four housing units on all residential lots, and at least six on all residential lots within a quarter mile of major transit. By reducing barriers to housing production near jobs and transit, HB 1110 advances the core principles of GMA while maintaining protections for environmentally sensitive and open spaces.

“Seattle’s adoption of its updated Comprehensive Plan means that the city has taken a major step forward in addressing the housing shortage placing homes out of reach for so many,” said Jerry Hall, executive director of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS). “We commend Seattle for lowering many barriers to housing choices in the city even as we look ahead to persistent challenges that still exist in the work to make housing more attainable for all. MBAKS will continue to focus on offering our expertise regarding how best to facilitate more housing that is attainable for current residents, newcomers, and future generations.”

Reducing Barriers to Housing in Seattle’s Updated Comprehensive Plan

Seattle’s updated Comprehensive Plan removes several long-standing obstacles to housing production and allows for more efficient use of the city’s buildable land. Notably, the plan:

• Invests in accessory dwelling units as a popular housing option.
• Improves use of limited buildable land for housing.
• Addresses the need for housing and trees. 

Persistent Barriers to Housing Options in Seattle’s Updated Comprehensive Plan

Unfortunately, Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan preserves barriers that will continue to drive up the cost of housing for both renters and homeowners.

Under the plan, Seattle’s Department of Construction & Inspections would retain broad subjective discretion when reviewing new housing proposals related to tree canopy management. MBAKS supports the shared goal of maintaining a healthy urban tree canopy but strongly prefers a clearly defined, objective policy framework that provides transparency, predictability, and timely review for applicants.

The plan also relies on arbitrary minimum tree-per-square foot requirements, which further restrict already limited buildable land. These requirements increase the single greatest cost barrier for new housing: the price of land without demonstratable environmental benefit. Homebuilders are already subject to strict regulations that oversee new construction so that our water, air, and soil are appropriately protected. Homebuilders also routinely plant more trees during construction than are removed.

MBAKS members demonstrate their commitment to environmental stewardship by partnering with local jurisdictions through the association’s Planting a Better Tomorrow event.

“While other barriers to housing remain, MBAKS will continue to advocate for policies and partnerships needed to expand Seattle’s housing supply, ensuring everyone has a place to call home,” said Logan Schmidt, MBAKS’s Seattle Government Affairs Manager.

Visit MBAKS Connect for our full analysis of Seattle’s updated Comprehensive Plan.