TagKing County(456)

A July 9, 1976 internal memo from Ed Parks to holders of the 'Redbook' (Final Sea-Tac Communities Plan), a joint planning effort by the Port of Seattle and King County. The memo instructs recipients to insert enclosed additions and corrections into their copies of the plan, specifying which pages in sections 6.2 through 7.0 should be deleted and replaced. Chapter 7 was included in the packet, and recipients were directed to call 587-4630 for further information.

King County Councilman Paul Barden of the Seventh District notified constituents of a Planning and Community Development Committee meeting scheduled for May 19, 1976 at 9:30 A.M. in the King County Courthouse. The meeting was called to discuss a letter from the Port of Seattle concerning the Sea-Tac Communities Plan, a planning initiative related to the area surrounding Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. While the meeting was open to the public, it was not a formal public hearing, and no public testimony was to be accepted.

In a May 1976 letter to King County Councilwoman Bernice Stern, Seattle Port Commission President Henry T. Simonson outlined two key decisions regarding land adjacent to Sea-Tac International Airport. The Port ruled out acquiring the 35-acre 'west acquisition area' due to high costs, excessive development expenses, and lack of foreseeable airport-related demand, while agreeing that any existing development there must follow carefully formulated guidelines. For the 'southeast conversion area' — 85 small homes in Lowe's Terrace Subdivision — the Port acknowledged that standard acoustic insulation treatment may not be cost-effective, and flagged the neighborhood as a candidate for a special purchase guarantee program to assist with gradual land-use conversion.

This April 1976 newsletter from the Highline Community Council covers several local government issues affecting the Highline District near Seattle, including recommendations for siting a new precinct station, county court, and community center. It also addresses the SeaTac Community Plan, a King County Charter Review proposal to potentially merge Metro and King County government, and a community service program placing court-ordered youth workers with nonprofit organizations. Residents were encouraged to participate in ongoing community planning efforts that would shape the area's future development.

The Highline Communities Plan (1976) is a King County planning document that builds on the Sea-Tac Communities Plan to improve neighborhoods surrounding Sea-Tac Airport. It establishes goals, policies, and implementation actions covering drainage, pollution, natural resource protection, and land use to support communities that are to be maintained rather than acquired or redeveloped due to airport noise impacts. The plan outlines specific measures such as sanitary sewering, surface water management, and open space preservation to achieve a quality living environment in the Highline area.

A 1975 summary presentation of the Sea-Tac/Communities Plan, jointly undertaken by the Port of Seattle and King County, outlines the key problems that prompted the study, including aircraft noise complaints from nearby residents, related lawsuits and FHA mortgage restrictions, flooding issues, and neighborhood blight. The plan aimed to achieve compatibility between Sea-Tac International Airport and surrounding communities through technical studies, citizen participation, and advisory committees. Key findings indicated that no major airport expansion was needed, but noise would remain a significant environmental concern, and many property owners believed they deserved relief or compensation.