TagLand Use(178)

A July 1979 FAA memo summarizes the first advisory committee meeting on a proposed recreation plan for the North Clear Zone near Sea-Tac International Airport. The meeting, attended by about 40 community members, consultants, and Port of Seattle representatives, centered on what types of recreational uses—such as soccer fields, golf courses, and bike trails—would be compatible with airport safety guidelines, with the FAA cautioning against intensive uses and large fixed spectator facilities in the clear zone. The group requested more specific, quantitative FAA guidelines on acceptable land use, and a follow-up meeting was scheduled for August 8, with the full study expected to take six months and potentially set precedents for recreational land use near major airports.

A July 1979 letter from planner Janis Snoey to FAA Airport Planning Branch representative George Sato transmits five pre-schematic site plans for the North Sea-Tac Park, showing projected peak-time visitor numbers under various development scenarios. The plans, prepared following an FAA meeting on July 17, 1979, are accompanied by a 'Carrying Capacity' map that classifies park areas by development suitability—from very high intensity (sports fields, motorcycle trails) to low intensity (foot paths only)—based on analysis of soils, hydrology, vegetation, and noise. The documents were intended solely to provoke discussion during the early master planning phase for the North Sea-Tac site.

These three hand-drawn planning maps present alternative development scenarios for North Sea-Tac Park, labeled 'Passive,' 'Modified Passive,' and 'Modified Passive 2.' Each concept proposes different mixes of recreational facilities—such as soccer fields, baseball fields, tennis courts, a golf course, and archery targets—alongside preserved natural areas, nature trails, and passive open space. The maps were intended solely for discussion purposes and show peak-time visitor capacity estimates for each proposed facility zone.

A zoning reclassification request by the Port of Seattle for property south of So. 164th St. in the Highline area. The document shows recommendations for three parcels: Parcel A to be rezoned to RM-900-P, Parcel B to be reclassified from RS-7200 to AOU-P with restrictions on commercial/industrial development, and Parcel C to be reclassified from

Ordinance 77-106, introduced in March 1977, established the Airport Open Use (AOU) zoning classification for areas around major airports like Sea-Tac, allowing compatible economic activities such as agriculture, public parks, commercial recreation, and public utility facilities while protecting neighboring residential areas. The ordinance sets strict conditions on signage, building setbacks, landscaping buffers, and livestock density to minimize conflicts with adjacent residential zones. Uses like golf courses, outdoor storage, and cemeteries require conditional use permits when the property borders residential (R or S) zones.