The Saturday guest commentary, “Seeking affordability as land dwindles,” authored by the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish counties, speaks to this issue in central Puget Sound. The commentary suggests several possible ways to “resolve” the “problem.”

I am totally unsympathetic! Rather, I’m extremely grateful for the state, county, second local development and environmental regulations that continue to preserve and protect our quality of life. Ask current residents, daily commuters, and others, if we need to pack more people into this area.

To view an extreme example of hyper-overdevelopment, visit the October 2014 issue of National Geographic magazine, pages 66-67. This is a two-page aerial view of Sun City, Arizona, near Phoenix, where population has grown four times larger between 1970 and 2010. The pictured extensive residential development can best be described as a human beehive on tiny, close-packed lots.

We must not fall into the trap of putting our future into the hands of relentless, profit-driven developers. Thoughtful regulatory controls and strong enforcement are essential.

Bill Best

Arlington