At the June 15, 2026, Burien City Council meeting, a representative from the Port of Seattle faced sharp criticism over controversial airport expansion plans.
Despite a recent environmental review claiming “no significant difference” in community impact, councilmembers aggressively challenged Port spokesperson Dave Kaplan on mounting noise pollution, dangerous ultra-fine particle levels, and the long-term economic blight facing neighborhoods adjacent to the airport.
Beyond the airport expansion issue, the council took proactive steps to protect local infrastructure by initiating a moratorium on new data centers, while city staff issued an urgent call for applicants to fill the vacant council seat left by Linda Akey.
Airport Expansion Plans
Kaplan, local government public relations manager for the Port of Seattle, gave an update on the planned airport expansion after a recent environmental review. The FAA determined that there would be “no significant difference in the impact” to area cities, whether the airport expands or not. It is believed that users of the airport, which numbered 52.7 million last year, will only increase, regardless of any changes to the facility itself. The airport is already well beyond its current capacity, according to Kaplan.
Kaplan explained that the Port exceeded requirements under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), analysing things like potential impacts to human health, air quality, particulate matter, and cumulative risks. He said the only significant finding was an impact to surface transportation, which the Port will be working to mitigate.
Councilmember Sam Mendez quoted a 1997 warning from a consulting firm, who said that a third runway would contribute to a cycle of economic blight from increased air traffic in neighborhoods adjacent to the airport. This firm recommended that five cities, including Burien, receive subsidies to offset losses resulting from the decline in property values. Mendez asked Kaplan: Isn’t it time for the Port to consider such compensation in light of the damage already done? Mendez added that the Port has long held that such compensation would violate the state constitution; however the state solicitor general now says that this compensation would be allowed. Kaplan refused to answer Councilmember Mendez.
Deputy Mayor Hugo Garcia asked about increases in noise and air pollution for communities around the 509, which is expected to see a rise in traffic. Kaplan said Garcia should go to a public meeting and ask his questions there. Councilmember Rocco DeVito and Mayor Sarah Moore asked about the dangerous levels of ultra-fine particles (UFPs) around airports. Kaplan said that while it was clear that UFPs are dangerous, there was no “definitive causation” from UFPs directly from aviation.
Councilmember Mendez asked about noise pollution. He said the FAA continues to use an outdated measurement of 65 decibels (dB) as the safety threshold, despite the EPA having a cutoff of 55 dB. The World Health Organization has an even lower threshold, of 45 dB. Kaplan said the Port is happy to partner with the community to change the FAA standards.
Deputy Mayor Garcia said the Port has argued that airport communities benefit from their proximity to the airport, while data clearly shows that they do not. He added that Burien receives the greatest share of damage from the airport, with the smallest economic benefit. Kaplan said that he can’t speak on it, and reiterated that Garcia should go to a meeting and review the material.
The Port will hold several meetings to get public feedback. These meetings will provide language translation and childcare services. In addition, comments can be made online or via email. Kaplan said every comment is reviewed and responded to. An informational mailer is going out to 100,000 residences. See link above for ways to connect with the Port or attend a meeting.
Councilmember Kevin Schilling asked if Sea-Tac Airport has an official position on a second regional airport. Kaplan shared that one facility is never going to be able to meet the expected demand, and in the long term an alternative airport is definitely needed. He said the Port has long been in favor of an additional airport, but that is up to state legislators. He added that the governor vetoed a regional airport that had been approved, after receiving strong pushback from the community.
Kaplan did state that there will never be a fourth runway, and that the near-term airport expansion is simply adding floors, not expanding its footprint, since it is hemmed in on all sides. City Manager Bob Larson said all council questions from this meeting will be formally submitted to the Port so they will be on public record.
Air Purifier Giveaway
Mayor Moore shared that there will be an Air Purifier Giveaway on Thursday June 18, from 3-6 p.m. The giveaway, which will be held in Council Chambers at City Hall, will be on a first come, first served basis.
No Candidates For Akey’s Seat
The city has received no applications for the open city council position, recently left vacant by Linda Akey. Staff said the deadline to apply is June 26. Anyone interested in serving on the council can apply on the city website, pick up a physical application at City Hall, or even call City Hall and have an application sent in the mail. More information on the position, along with the application, can be found at the link above.
Data Center Moratorium
The council was in agreement about implementing a moratorium on new data centers, in order to give staff time to look into any potential benefits and assess drawbacks. There have been no inquiries or applications for new data centers, but the council wants the city to be prepared in the event someone wants to build one.
Adopting a six-month moratorium requires holding a public hearing, so staff will be setting that up. A one-year moratorium, which the council seemed to favor, would additionally require a study to be conducted. During the moratorium, staff will have time to look into what kind of job increase could be expected from a data center, as well as potential impacts to local infrastructure including the electrical grid, stormwater, and noise and air quality issues. Staff will also provide potential permanent regulations around data centers.
Video
Below is full, raw video of this meeting:
