EVERETT — The Everett City Council voted 6-0 Wednesday in favor of a resolution supporting scheduled commercial flights at Paine Field.
The resolution is a symbolic step for the city that has remained largely silent on a community debate on the future of the county-owned airport.
“Our voice is important on this,” said Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson, who encouraged the council’s support of the resolution.
The vote follows a cost-benefit study by the Seattle consultants Thomas/Lane &Associates.
The $70,000 study released in July concluded commercial aviation is feasible and that it would have little or no impact on traffic and the environment for surrounding communities.
City officials say it is the first objective look at an emotionally charged issue.
Council President Drew Nielsen on Wednesday said the report’s findings show that benefits and impacts would be modest and that supporters and opponents of passenger flights were likely exaggerating its pros and cons.
Opponents, who include residents and officials from the cities of Mukilteo, Edmonds and Lynnwood, dispute the findings of the report and say their are concerned about noise, pollution and lowered property values.
In May, discount airline Allegiant Air asked the county about adding scheduled air service from Paine Field to Las Vegas.
A majority of the Snohomish County Council opposed Allegiant Air after the airline expressed interest in offering two to four flights per week between Paine Field and Las Vegas.
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