Listen: The Dunn Lumber Podcast: How to Protect Yourself From Liability When Hiring Trade Contractors, recorded live March 17 at the Master Builders Association Remodelers Council Dinner. Scott Hildebrand, residential law specialist, presents his list of the top 10 things NOT to do when hiring the tradespeople who are essential to your professional success.

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Halting development to slow growth? It’s a bold strategy, Cotton, let’s see if it pays off for ‘em.  

If a building clad in a color you didn’t think fit your city’s personality suddenly popped up overnight, would you take action? 

That’s what the City of Issaquah did in 2016 when a multi-hued apartment complex started gaining attention for all the wrong reasons. The building in question, the Atlas Apartments, featured colors (including a brazen blue) that many residents deemed unacceptable to their city’s persona. The outcry resulted in an emergency ordinance at the Sept. 6, 2017 council meeting that paused development in the area, the reasoning being that new construction was not meeting the standards of the 2012 Central Issaquah Plan. 

On the moratorium, which was extended an additional six months after the original verdict last September, Issaquah Economic Development and Development Services Director Keith Niven stated that the decision was made not to deter future growth but to ensure the right kind of growth for the city. 

Critics claimed the Atlas complex served as an example of what the city didn’t want or need, citing its lack of mixed-use ground floor space and unsightly “Orlando architecture.” City leaders instead wanted to see denser projects fit for growth and which add vibrancy to the central Issaquah area. Twenty-one months after the original moratorium, city staff had revamped code to solidify areas such as parking requirements for new development and introduced a design and architectural manual to streamline future project aesthetics—including acceptable colors. 

Development changes also included a plan to help diversify the city’s available housing, including reducing hurdles for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and experimenting with a tax exemption for multifamily housing. 

The moratorium officially ended May 21, and so its effects are yet to be determined. But the underlying question is this: Are moratoriums like the one instituted in Issaquah ultimately beneficial or an unnecessary hindrance to providing much-needed housing? MBAKS Senior Policy Analyst Allison Butcher states the latter, calling halts to facilitate growth a “drastic measure” that won’t do anything but put our region even more behind the effort to give residents the shelter they demand. 

“We are obviously continuing to grow at a fast pace and instituting a building moratorium isn’t going to stop that,” says Butcher. “The growth is coming whether there’s a moratorium in place or not.” 

That sentiment hasn’t stopped other cities from following suit, however, as cities such as Federal Way, Duvall, North Bend, and Newcastle have all recently adopted moratoriums for a variety of reasons, from reworking zoning standards to policy updates and more. 

But the question remains, are these sudden stoppages ultimately preventing the very thing we need in this unprecedented time of growth and home prices? 

Butcher further explains the potential backfire our cities could see while instituting construction stoppages, saying, “While a moratorium is legal, it does not mean it is good policy. At a time when demand for housing is far outpacing housing supply, which drives up both home prices and rents and makes housing less attainable, building moratoria certainly are not good for housing. They also are not good for our economy or the families and workers looking for a home closer to job centers. Furthermore, they potentially could run counter to our region’s transportation investments that contemplate the need for more transit-oriented development in certain areas.” 

Butcher goes on to address housing affordability and how it relates to moratoriums, stating that “perhaps the biggest problem with building moratoria is that they are counterproductive to solving our housing affordability crisis. Simply put, moratoria are a bad deal for anyone looking for housing—they only make it harder for current and future residents to find a home they can afford.”

Butcher also says that stoppages also lose significant revenue from new construction, as participating cities become devoid of local income, taxes, and other benefits to new housing. Her solution? “Instead of enacting policies designed to slow or halt housing, local governments should work within their communities to expand housing supply and choices for families. Housing goes hand in hand with a strong economy and vibrant community.” 

Those looking for affordable housing options might not care about a wild blue tint outside their window. Cities must look out for their residents but must also be willing to let growth flourish because, as Butcher points out, the people are coming, and it shouldn’t be our self-imposed lack of available housing that leaves them feeling blue. 

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MBAKS Announces 2022 Award Winners

Dec. 1, 2022—The Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS) announced the prestigious 2022 award winners at its annual year-end gala on Thursday, December 1.

Each year, MBAKS recognizes members in various categories, including: Spirit of Service, Emerging Leader, Moving the Market, Associate of the Year, Exceptional Service, Remodeler of the Year, GRIP on Safety Excellence Award, Builder of the Year, and the MBAKS Hall of Fame Award. Winners are decided through an open member nomination and awards committee process. With more than 2,600 member companies, MBAKS is the largest home builders association in the country, making these award winners all the more esteemed.

Here are 2022’s winners:

Trevor Johnson, Blackwood Builders Group

Spirit of Service Award

The Spirit of Service Award recognizes an individual or company in the homebuilding industry that has demonstrated compassion and dedication through service. Volunteering time, talent, or ideas that empower or improve the quality of life of individuals, families, or groups in our community.

Trevor Johnson is a champion for housing, and it shows through his volunteer work with MBAKS and beyond. He has demonstrated his commitment throughout the years by supporting Rampathon and various other community organizations like WELD Seattle, Seattle Children’s Hospital, DwellingsNow and New Beginnings.

Leo Speaks, Integrity Marketing Services

Emerging Leader Award

The Emerging Leader Award recognizes up-and-coming members who have made significant contributions to MBAKS and the homebuilding industry. In addition, they demonstrate tremendous potential for future leadership and service.

Leo Speaks is the 2022 Chair of MBAKS’ Sales and Marketing Council (SMC). His marketing expertise has helped SMC develop valuable content for SMC events, as well as improve the way they are promoted. His energy, enthusiasm, and creativity has made a positive impact on MBAKS.

Vitaliy Gutsalo, Greencity Development LLC

Moving the Market Award, Built Green

The Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties created the Built Green program to provide consumers with an easy-to-understand rating system for identifying projects built using environmentally friendly materials and practices.

The Moving the Market Award recognizes a person, business, or government entity that has taken actions or implemented programs that advance and expand Built Green certification, promote Built Green as a brand, and demonstrate a commitment to environmental stewardship.

Vitaliy Gutsalo and Greencity Development LLC has certified 177 4-star single-family townhomes in Seattle and Shoreline since 2019. Their homes feature energy efficient designs and performance, infill developments in walkable transit-rich neighborhoods, attention to indoor air quality, and locally sourced materials.

George Newman, Barghausen Consulting Engineers, Inc.

Associate of the Year

The Associate of the Year award is dedicated to non-builder MBAKS members who have made an impact on the association and its work.

George Newman has 30 years of experience working in agency management, business development, land use planning and land development consulting. He is the past chair of MBAKS’ Developer Builder Issues Council and regularly participates in the Residential Builders Council meetings and the Housing Policy Committee.

Traci Tenhulzen, Tenhulzen Residential

Exceptional Service Award

The Exceptional Service award is given to an individual who makes an outstanding contribution to the building industry and has a long-term commitment to serving their community.

Traci Tenhulzen is the incoming 2023 MBAKS Board President and has always been incredibly committed to the success of the association and its members. She is equally dedicated to the Building Industry Association of Washington and National Association of Home Builders at the state and national levels.

Melissa Irons, Irons Brothers Construction

Remodeler of the Year

The Remodeler of the Year award is presented to leaders in the remodeling industry, who display an exemplary talent in their work.

Melissa Irons of Irons Brothers Construction has been a trusted remodeling contractor in the Seattle area since 1999. She is an active member of MBAKS and its councils and has held many leadership roles within those councils. Irons Brothers Construction was also the recipient of the 2022 REX Kitchen Excellence, More Than $145,000 Award.

Northstar Electrical

GRIP on Safety Excellence Award - Gold Level

The GRIP on Safety Excellence Award – Gold Level recognizes candidates with following criteria; candidates must have a recordable incident rate of 25% below the state industry average in the current year, have had no L&I workplace serious citations or serious injuries resulting in in-patient hospitalization over the past three years, submit an application form with a self-assessment score of 90% and must objectively demonstrate through employee interviews, site visits and document reviews that their safety program meets or exceeds performance goals identified on application form.

Owner of Northstar Electrical, Rob Kingsley, is actively involved in safety programming, allocating safety resources, conducting onsite job walks-through, and recognizing employees for good safety behaviors. Northstar Electrical currently has a Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) and Days Away, Restricted, Transfer rate (DART) which is 25% below the state industry average, has not had a worker’s comp claim in the last two and a half years and has an Experience Modification Factor (EMR) below the industry average at 0.61. All of these metrics are incredibly impressive and reflective of Northstar Electrical’s commitment to providing a safe workplace.

2022 GRIP on Safety Excellence Award - Silver Level

The GRIP on Safety Excellence Award – Silver Level recognizes candidates with following criteria; candidates must have an Experience Modification Factor (EMR) below 0.8, have had no L&I workplace serious citations or serious injuries resulting in in-patient hospitalization over the past two years, submit an application form with a self-assessment score of 85%+ and must objectively demonstrate through employee interviews, site visits and document reviews that their safety program meets or exceeds performance goals identified on application form.

• Pacific Earth Works WBE
• Plantscapes
• Synapse Construction
• Tenhulzen Residential
• TerraFirma Foundation Systems

Todd Levitt, Murray Franklyn Family of Companies

Builder of the Year

The Builder of the Year award doesn’t just go to members with exceptional building capabilities, but to those members who go beyond and are leaders within the industry.

Todd Levitt of Murray Franklyn Family of Companies has been involved in land acquisitions, entitlements, and developments for more than 20 years. Most recently he has been working closely with our Government Affairs team to tackle tree and property rights issues. In addition to his service to our industry, Todd also volunteers in the community, working with the Boy Scouts of America, Habitat for Humanity and Doxa Housing. He also serves on MBAKS’ Board of Directors, currently ending his tenure as 2022 Immediate Past President.

MBAKS Hall of Fame

The purpose of the MBAKS Hall of Fame award is to honor people who have made significant and lasting contributions to our association.

Paul Bogel

Paul Bogel’s involvement with MBAKS began in 1984. He has been involved in several committees and councils, held the office of Secretary on the Executive Committee for two terms and was the Finance Director on the Board from 2016-2019.

Sandy McAdams

Sandy McAdams was the first female Board President of MBAKS and led the charge to form the Professional Women in Building (PWB) Council. To celebrate her legacy, each year MBAKS recognizes outstanding PWB council members with the Sandy McAdams Woman of the Year award. Sandy remains an inspiration to the next generation of women builders and industry leaders.

For more information on this release, contact Stephanie Giralmo at sgiralmo@mbaks.com

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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