Today the Herald is reporting that there is a push to give Everett city building permits an extension, owing to the fact that many projects are on hold, probably for several years.  I will agree, it seems a bit redundant to force builders to pay city staff for re-approving plans when building is ready to commence on these projects.  

The industry group is asking local governments to relax a number of building rules to help create a local "housing stimulus package."

The requested changes include reducing parking requirements, shrinking building setbacks and extending the duration of building permits, which are issued after land-use permits are secured.

Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon this week proposed extending preliminary permit approvals for residential subdivisions and slashing the cost of resubmitting preliminary permit applications.

While I can agree with the extention on existing permits, I am not so sure about the relaxing of setbacks and parking requirements.  I can understand why builders want concessions there, because it will often allow them to build extra units on the same amount of space, making them more money.  If they can sell them of course...

What is the consensus out there?  Should we relax the rules to encourage more building or leave things they way they are since we have a glut of existing new homes as it is?