I read the letter to the editor that the owners of Alpine Nursery wrote about developing their property. I sympathize with what they want to do – but don’t blame everything on Renton.

Yes, Renton courted you. But there are state and federal laws in place – that you should have been aware of – that have to be adhered to. It’s just like any other law: why do we have laws if developers can do whatever they want; clear cut, pollute our water; make roads ands schools more congested that our kids suffer for.

Take a look around you.

After the houses are built, how will the residents get around? There have to be roads to take them to stores, work, etc. Who will pay for those?

What about schools? Where will the kids go to school to learn? That’s also part of the construction of homes. You say, we don’t want to pay for it – we’ll let the residents of the school district pay for the new schools/classrooms, teachers, buses, etc.

What about the stormwater runoff when you cut the trees down and clear the property? It’ll go to Puget Sound and destroy the Oyster Beds, and fish and crabs, so when you take your kids to the beach, it will be heavily polluted. Do you care? Who will protect the wetlands, streams, lakes, etc?

And what about the trees? They have taken years to grow as tall as they are. Don’t you want to protect some of them? And what about your neighbors? Do they want the trees destroyed? Take a look at the East Renton Plateau and see how many developments have been clear cut? Doesn’t it look ugly? Now there are “non-trees” being planted to replace them. Do you want to take your kids up to the mountains to show them “real” trees because Renton officials didn’t protect some?

Right now, the Hearing Examiner is deciding the fate of 21 acres in the Tiffany Park neighborhood. The neighbors don’t want the trees clear cut or the wildlife forgotten. They don’t want another 93 houses in their neighborhood. I wish there would be more regulation to protect our trees and streams. I’ve seen first hand what breaking the law can do – and it isn’t pretty.

If you don’t like what Renton has done, the only alternative you have is to vote the major officials out of office. I know what Renton allows – so I haven’t asked to annex. I like trees, healthy fish/streams, classrooms that aren’t crowded, and roads that aren’t as crowded.

I know you want a return on your retirement; you shouldn’t have put it into real estate. I’ve lived here 57 years and have seen a lot of change.

Claudia Donnelly,
Renton