Don't stretch the rules to benefit developers

Thanks for your Dec. 14 editorial, "Loopholes allow erosion of work-force housing." It was right on target.

Too often city and county officials and their highly paid consultants point the finger at environmental groups and neighborhood associations for opposing initiatives like increasing density, easing height restrictions and allowing development on public lands as the reasons that the affordable housing situation is in crisis.

These same people need to look in the mirror and see that they are their own worst enemies. They will bend over backwards to allow new development through rezoning while they destroy the affordable housing already in place — and then bad-mouth anyone who dares to question their decisions.

As your editorial pointed out, these government officials must stop stretching the rules for developers and make them work with the guidelines in place.

John Murphy, Big Pine Key