Category : History(256)

In June 1979, the Port of Seattle installed nine noise-monitoring stations around Sea-Tac Airport as part of a $200,000 project. The monitors collect aircraft and community noise data via waterproof microphones, transmitting readings over telephone lines to a minicomputer on the fourth floor of the airport parking garage. Results from the system were expected to influence local noise-remedy programs for affected property owners once full testing was completed that fall.

In this January 25, 1979 letter, Washington State Representative John Jovanovich (31st District) writes to Ms. Jean Pihlman explaining that the Sea-Tac Comprehensive Plan (STCP), adopted by the Port of Seattle and King County, primarily addresses the airport and its noise-impacted areas. He urges that citizen representatives on the Policy Advisory Committee — the body responsible for monitoring the plan — should come directly from the noise-impacted communities, so that their needs are properly understood by decision-makers.

This brochure from the Greater Highline Community Parks Board outlines the Master Plan for North Sea-Tac Park, a 50-acre recreational area developed in the airport's north clear zone — land set aside due to aircraft noise impacts. Formed after a 1979 jointly funded planning effort by the Port of Seattle and King County, the nonprofit board manages the park and the Sunset Activity Center (a former junior high school), offering facilities for groups such as a BMX club, equestrian association, and Kennedy High School cross-country trails. The document also promotes a Booster Club membership drive to support continued park development and operations.

A August 1978 news article reports that the Port of Seattle Policy Advisory Committee (PAC), formed in 1973 to oversee the Sea-Tac Communities Plan, voted to continue its quarterly meetings for another year rather than restructure or disband. The committee, which includes representatives from the airport, airlines, FAA, King County, local schools, businesses, and neighborhood groups, had been repeatedly disrupted by complaints from Zone 3 residents — those most directly affected by airport noise — who felt they lacked fair representation. Members debated alternatives such as community forums and more formal meeting procedures, but ultimately agreed that PAC remained the only venue bringing all stakeholders together to discuss airport-related issues.

A 1978 memo from Don Shay notifies the Policy Advisory Committee of a meeting on July 27, 1978, at Sea-Tac International Airport to review recommendations from the Reorganization Task Force. The Task Force proposed restructuring the committee to focus on long-term monitoring of Sea-Tac Plan implementation, handling special issues, and making recommendations to King County and Port of Seattle leadership. The recommended committee composition included representatives from King County, the Port of Seattle, local businesses, the Highline School District, local governments, Sea-Tac Airlines, and four citizen representatives selected by the Highline Community Council.

This 1978 King County Building & Land Development document relates to a zoning reclassification application (File 224-78-R) filed by the Port of Seattle, proposing to change land near Seattle-Tacoma Airport from residential (RS-7,200) to manufacturing-park (M-P) zoning. The accompanying map shows the affected parcels in section E 29-23-4, located adjacent to Sea-Tac Airport, where multiple residential zones were targeted for conversion. A notice was mailed to area resident Virginia Dana at 2648 South 142nd Street, Seattle, in March 1978.