Category : Key Documents(100)

This 1992 draft Master Plan for North SeaTac Park was submitted by landscape architecture firm Jones & Jones to the City of SeaTac and King County. The plan outlines proposed development and improvements for North SeaTac Park, a public green space in the community surrounding Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The document reflects a collaborative effort involving city staff, elected officials, a citizen advisory committee, and King County parks representatives.

A January 1990 FAA briefing document outlines the agency's role in land use at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, explaining that federal involvement stems from approximately $115 million in federal funds spent on the airport since 1970 for planning, land acquisition, construction, and noise insulation. The FAA supported the concept of a park on airport land, provided the Port of Seattle maintained ownership and control, airport funds were not used for the park, and only compatible uses were allowed. The document also details Sea-Tac's noise mitigation efforts, including over $50 million in federal grants to acquire roughly 750 noise-impacted land parcels and more than $7 million to insulate 323 homes near the airport.

The 1988-2020 Regional Airport System Plan, published in October 1987, outlines policies for managing and developing public-use airports across King, Kitsap, Pierce, and Snohomish counties through the year 2020. A central finding is that Sea-Tac Airport was projected to reach full capacity within 10 to 15 years, with intolerable aircraft delays expected unless alternative measures were taken. The plan also addresses noise and flight track mitigation programs, land use compatibility near airports, and the potential role of satellite airports such as Paine Field, Bremerton National, and Tacoma Narrows in relieving pressure on Sea-Tac.

In November 1983, the Port of Seattle sent this letter and attached survey summary to attendees of neighborhood workshops held near Jackson International Airport (Sea-Tac), informing them of community attitude surveys conducted by McClure Research Company on aircraft noise concerns. The surveys gathered resident opinions on potential noise remedy programs—including purchase guarantees, noise insulation cost-sharing, and avigation easements—to help planners assess program feasibility and likely participation rates. Results showed that workshop attendees' concerns closely mirrored those of the broader affected community living in areas with noise levels of 70 Ldn and above.

This January 1980 King County Division of Planning report proposes new zoning maps for the Highline community, located south of Seattle between I-5 and Puget Sound, to implement the Highline Communities Plan adopted in December 1977. The plan translates land use policies into specific zoning classifications covering topics such as mixed-use development, mobile home development, an Airport Open Use Zone, and landscaping guidelines. It applies only to unincorporated King County areas and was subject to public community meetings and hearings before adoption by the County Council.

This 1978 document outlines the structure and functions of a Policy Advisory Committee (PAC) formed to oversee implementation of the Sea-Tac Airport Communities Plan, including long-term monitoring of airport noise issues and making recommendations to King County and Port of Seattle officials. The 12-member committee draws representatives from King County, local governments, businesses, schools, airlines, and community citizens. It also details noise exemption rules for daytime aircraft testing and maintenance at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, specifying conditions such as permitted hours (7 a.m. to 10 p.m.) and geographic boundaries defined by the 'NEF 45' noise exposure contour line.

Resolution No. 2626, adopted by the Port of Seattle Commission on June 8, 1976, formally accepted the Sea-Tac/Communities Plan as a guide for developing Sea-Tac International Airport in a way that maximizes compatibility with surrounding neighborhoods. The resolution directed Port staff to pursue federal funding for land acquisition in flight path zones, establish an aircraft noise monitoring system, and launch a pilot acoustic insulation program for nearby homes. Total noise abatement efforts were estimated to cost approximately $50 million over a ten-year period, with funding expected from airport revenues and federal assistance.

The Clean Air Amendments of 1970 (Public Law 91-604) strengthened the federal Clean Air Act by expanding research into the health and environmental effects of air pollutants, increasing grant funding to state and regional air pollution control agencies, and establishing a framework for national ambient air quality standards. The law required the EPA Administrator to publish and maintain a list of harmful air pollutants and issue scientific criteria for each within 12 months of listing. It also directed states to take primary responsibility for meeting national air quality standards within their borders through mandatory implementation plans.