TagLand Use(230)

This guide explains how airports can pursue non-aeronautical development under Section 163 of federal aviation law, with a 2022 update covering key FAA policy changes. The update clarifies that if any part of a development project requires FAA approval, the agency now claims approval authority over the entire project — limiting a previous practice of splitting projects into smaller pieces to bypass oversight. It also covers a proposed FAA land use policy affecting how airports may lease or repurpose federally acquired or grant-funded airport land for non-aviation uses.

The Sea-Tac/Communities Plan outlines three noise impact programs for managing properties affected by aircraft noise at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. All three programs involve a designated government unit purchasing affected properties through negotiation or condemnation. The programs differ in how the land is subsequently used: Program One converts it to low-intensity open space such as golf courses or farmland; Program Two redevelops it for noise-compatible industrial or commercial uses; and Program Three leases the properties back to prior owners for a set period, leaving land use largely unchanged in the short term.

Washington's Supreme Court unanimously upheld King County's approval of Boeing's plan to build corporate headquarters on a 30-acre site near Seattle-Tacoma Airport, rejecting challenges from a local citizens' group. The court ruled the approval was a legislative action rather than a quasi-judicial rezone, meaning the appearance-of-fairness doctrine did not apply, even though two County Council members had accepted campaign contributions from Boeing employees. The ruling also addressed a separate Snohomish County case, allowing environmental-impact statements for two large residential developments to be submitted piecemeal.

228-78-R

These three maps outline proposed area zoning changes in communities surrounding Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, including White Center, Burien, and nearby neighborhoods. The plans identify land targeted for rezoning across residential categories (such as downzoning to single-family or upzoning to multi-family) as well as nonresidential categories (including airport open use, manufacturing, commercial, and air terminal-related business). Dotted boundaries mark primary impact areas around the airport, reflecting efforts to align land use policy with airport noise and operational concerns.

This document lists 27 zoning petition files submitted to a planning authority, detailing the zone classification requested and whether each petition was approved or denied. Requests span a variety of zone types including residential (RD 3,600, RM 900), light manufacturing (M-L), industrial (M-1), commercial (C-G), and others, with the majority of petitions ultimately denied. A note at the bottom indicates that none of the cases were pending at the time of the record.