HomeMy WebLinkAboutC_Staff Response to Houston_260113.pdf1
Alex Morganroth
From:Alex Morganroth
Sent:Tuesday, January 13, 2026 4:22 PM
To:houston.john@comcast.net
Cc:sheryl friesz
Subject:RE: RSD and Eminent Domain
Hi John –
Thank you for your comment. I’ve added it to the official project record, and it will be included as an
exhibit in the staff report. I also want to clarify, respectfully, that I work for the City of Renton, not the
Renton School District, and I was not involved in the eminent domain process used to assemble the high
school expansion area. That decision was made by the Renton School Board, and the City did not have a
role in that process.
If you have any questions about the land use review or the Renton High School project more generally,
please feel free to reach out at any time.
Thank you again for taking the time to share your perspective.
Alex
ALEX MORGANROTH, AICP, Principal Planner
City of Renton // Planning Division
o+ice (425) 430-7219 // email amorganroth@rentonwa.gov
Virtual Permit Center // Online Applications and Inspections
NOTICE OF PUBLIC DISCLOSURE: This message complies with Washington State’s Public Records Act – RCW
42.56
From: houston.john@comcast.net <houston.john@comcast.net>
Sent: Friday, January 9, 2026 11:22 AM
To: Alex Morganroth <AMorganroth@Rentonwa.gov>
Cc: sheryl friesz <4abetterrenton@gmail.com>
Subject: RSD and Eminent Domain
Hi Alex,
My name is John Houston and I am writing you as a citizen who is not in favor of RSD and their use
of Eminent Domain.
My family lost land to RSD for a new school which was never built. So yes I know about their
wreckless, uncaring about people whose homes and land is all they have. I know this is a done deal
and the uncaring will move on until its decided they want someone elses land or home. Sitting on the
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land today where my uneducated parents cleared the land by hand and raised food to feed their
children are 200 homes.
The people who recently lost their homes do not have much but RSD does not care. They might
never own another home. There were other options for RSD but they chose to take property for their
own interests.
I would like to know how you,Damien and board members would react if it were you,your parents or
your children were uprooted and have to start over. I know Damien and his family personaly and what
RSD did to my family started the breakup of the small black community in The Renton Highlands. Oh
and that area was one of the only places black people could buy land and own a home.
I have written a book titled,Return To The Sunlight ,where RSD land grabs are mentioned. A state law
was passed SB5142 ,The Houston Eminent Domain Fairness Act was written to stop School Districts
like Renton from doing what they did to my family to anyone else.
Renton School District has been included in articles in USA Today,Seattle Times and several other
publications . KING5 Facing Race also did a segment where RSD tactics were revealed.
Alex,I am not upset with you about doing the job you were hired to do. My only hope is that you look
closely at the body of the work of those who hire you. There is so much more factful information that I
would like to share and it is on the internet. Google John Houston + Renton Land loss and you will
see lots of factual information.
I hope you will read my book,Return To The Sunlight and you will see what RSD did and caused for
my family. You can find my book on Amazon.
Thank you,
John Houston