It is easy to sympathize with those who live on Gravenstein Road between Lynnwood and Mill Creek.

After all, how would you feel if more than 100 homes were planned to become part of your neighborhood?

Before anyone dismisses their complaints as a typical Not In My Backyard attitude, the problem they are fighting is taking place in several backyards, and it will affect everyone in South Snohomish County.

The type of development Gravenstein residents are fighting are so-called “air condos,” which are actually single-family homes built on lot sizes so small that there is hardly any front or back yards — or room between houses.

These developments have popped up all over the county, but especially in the south end’s unincorporated areas. These neighborhoods are so unpopular that all eight cities south of Everett have told the county to stop allowing them to be built.

Fire department officials have said that roads in those developments are too narrow for fire trucks to get in and out. They also are concerned with how close the homes are to each other and the impact that could have on getting ladders through. And even though no one is saying it, at least not publicly, the worst-case scenario would be that a single home fire quickly spreads around the neighborhood.

There are other reasons the community should be concerned about these kind of developments. Take traffic. More homes equals more cars on the road, and already the county road system is overburdened. What kind of impact will these developments have on schools? And even though developers claim these homes are affordable, they still sell for more than $300,000.

It’s time for not just local governments, fire departments and a few concerned residents to raise their voice against air condos. It’s time local school officials and businesses lend their voice to the growing chorus opposing what’s happening in unincorporated Snohomish County.