TagEnvironmental Development Commission(7)

The Sea-Tac Communities Plan was a federally funded, eighteen-month study sponsored by King County and the Port of Seattle to assess noise, air, and water quality impacts from Sea-Tac Airport and develop an airport master plan and land-use/zoning plan for surrounding neighborhoods. The Environmental Development Commission invited residents, community clubs, and local interest groups to participate in initial public meetings held at Highline and Thomas Jefferson High Schools in March. A central goal of the plan was to maximize citizen involvement in both the development and implementation of policies shaping the future of Sea-Tac Airport and its neighboring communities.

This 1974 report by the King County Environmental Development Commission outlines capital improvement projects tentatively scheduled for the Highline Area — a community near present-day Sea-Tac Airport — covering the years 1974 through 1979. Prepared to encourage public input before financial and legislative commitments were finalized, it invited residents to review and discuss planned development projects at a public meeting held at Highline High School in Burien on February 13, 1974.

This document is the agenda for an Air Transportation Committee meeting held on September 20, 1973, at the Community Office in Burien, Washington, organized under the Sea-Tac Communities Plan. The meeting covered task force reports on noise abatement alternatives, surveys, and audio-visual programs, along with updates on urban development, policy advisory matters, and a project briefing by Ed Parks of the Port of Seattle on forecasts and noise impact formulas. Attendees were also invited to view a noise-related TV program before the meeting at 7:30 p.m.

The Environmental Development Commission (EDC) is an official citizens' advisory body established by King County in February 1970 to replace the Planning Commission and advise the County Council and Executive on environmental planning matters. It consists of 134 citizen members organized into nine committees, including a Land Use Committee that plays a central role in the Sea-Tac Communities Plan by developing proposals governing how land is used for housing, commerce, industry, and open space. All EDC meetings are open to the public, and the commission's overarching goal is to ensure land use decisions provide the most positive environmental impact for county residents.

These fact sheets from 1973 outline the structure and goals of the Sea-Tac Communities Plan, a planning study focused on Sea-Tac International Airport and surrounding areas. The Community Involvement Program aimed to engage local residents through a community office, public displays, and citizen representation on advisory committees. Technical oversight was provided by the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), which brought together representatives from local, state, and federal agencies—including the FAA, EPA, Boeing, and area school districts—to coordinate planning efforts and review recommendations.