In April 1981, the Port of Seattle testified at a public hearing opposing proposed residential (S-R) zoning for areas north of Sea-Tac International Airport, arguing the land falls within the highest aircraft noise impact zone and cannot legally or practically be developed for housing. The Port contended that rezoning these parcels to light manufacturing (M-L) was consistent with the Sea-Tac/Communities Plan and supported by a court ruling finding that residential zoning in such noise-impacted areas is arbitrary and unrealistic. The testimony also challenged the County's authority to impose certain zoning conditions on Port-owned property on the airport's west side.Open full document
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Testimony by Oris Dunham, Director of Aviation at Sea-Tac International Airport, opposing S-R zoning of a 35-acre area north of the airport due to noise impact incompatibility. The Port argues that residential zoning is illegal and inappropriate for the highest noise-impact zone, citing the Colella v. King County case and requesting M-L zoning instead.