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Arlington council approves easement for Snohomish County PUD transmission line despite pilots’ safety warnings
Summary
After multiple pilots and airport stakeholders urged denial on safety and grant‑assurance grounds, the Arlington City Council voted to approve easements and pay $1,425,798 in compensation plus $7,920 for timber to Snohomish County PUD for a planned 115,000‑volt transmission line.
The Arlington City Council voted to approve easements and compensation for Snohomish County PUD’s proposed Crosswind 115,000‑volt transmission line, despite multiple speakers at the public comment period urging the council to deny airport access on safety and deed‑restriction grounds.
A representative speaking on behalf of Snohomish County PUD described the Crosswind transmission line and Crosswind substation as essential infrastructure to support the Cascade Industrial Center and a regional battery energy storage system, and asked the council to approve the easements needed to move the project forward.
Kevin Duncan told council members the 1959 deed that transferred 1,200 acres to the city for airport use includes restrictions and that FAA grant assurances prohibit placing structures above airport property. "You have grant assurances and you have the deed of the trust. Don't violate those," Duncan said, and urged the council to deny the right of way.
Several pilots and airport staff contested the chosen route on safety grounds. Neil Carmen, a commercial pilot and president of the Washington Pilots Association, said the line’s location would create hazards for instrument approaches, go‑arounds, gliders and helicopters and that ‘‘a vote for the power lines is a vote against safety.’’ Dan Tarasiewicz, who owns a parachute business for pilots, and Mark Warren, a retired airline pilot, made similar appeals. Connor Baer, manager of Arlington Flight Services, told the council the lines would remove an emergency landing option along 59th Street, could interfere with navigational equipment and ‘‘impact the revenue in a negative way’’ for airport operations.
City staff presented easement and compensation details to the council. Marty summarized the proposal as requiring roughly 370,633 square feet of airport easement (transcript wording on the acreage is approximate), noted FAA obstruction surveys had a "determination of no significance," and reported the market‑value compensation determined at $1,425,798 with additional timber compensation of $7,920.
A council member moved to approve the easement acceptance and compensation of $1,425,798 plus $7,920 in timber value. After a second and a roll‑call vote in which three councilors voted "nay" and the remainder voted in favor, the council declared the motion carried.
The council did not record additional directions or conditions tied to the approval during the meeting. The staff presentation referenced FAA grant assurances and a 1959 deed of trust as constraints the council considered during the discussion.
Action: The council approved the easement acceptance and compensation for the Snohomish County PUD transmission line. The meeting then proceeded to other agenda items.
