TagSea-Tac Communities Plan(240)

A August 26, 1975 letter from HUD's Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs, James A. Morrill, to U.S. Senator Henry M. Jackson of Washington responds to an inquiry about FHA mortgage insurance eligibility for homes in areas where local communities have established noise boundaries. The letter explains that HUD's basic policy, outlined in Circular 1390.2, is to avoid endorsing undesirable living environments, but that FHA does not automatically exclude existing housing in noise-affected areas from mortgage insurance. Individual applications may still be rejected if noise levels are particularly high and the property lacks sufficient soundproofing.

This document is the outline for Volume 2 of the Sea-Tac International Airport & Vicinity Master Planning Project, focusing on the Vicinity Plan developed through a cooperative community planning process. It covers background studies on land use, noise exposure, air and water quality, and community attitudes, alongside underlying goals drawn from King County, FAA regulations, and local city plans. Key plan sections address airport-community compatibility, residential neighborhood stability, aircraft noise reduction programs, and water quality and drainage policies.

Chapter 6.7 map supplement from the Sea-Tac Communities Plan showing proposed land use plans for the airport and surrounding vicinity. The document contains color-coded maps displaying various land use categories including residential, commercial, industrial, and airport facilities.

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.

A 1975 letter from the Port of Seattle invites King County Council member Paul Barden to a briefing on the Sea-Tac/Communities Plan, a two-year, $640,000 study examining the relationship between Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and surrounding communities. The accompanying summary outlines key recommendations, including that the Port of Seattle assume primary responsibility for a comprehensive noise remedy program involving property acquisition, noise insulation, and avigation easements, while King County take the lead on land use changes and infrastructure improvements in affected areas. The plan also calls for both agencies to seek changes in federal and state legislation to expand funding and expand the scope of noise abatement programs.

This document outlines a development concept addressing the relationship between Sea-Tac International Airport and its surrounding communities. While the airport contributes significantly to the regional economy—supporting over 15,200 jobs and $390 million in annual business activity—local residents have long struggled with aircraft noise, uncertainty about airport expansion, and the impact on property values and neighborhood character. The concept seeks to find greater compatibility between the airport's growth and the needs of the communities it affects.