Snohomish County Council vote could be step toward commercial airliners at Everett's Paine Field



EVERETT, Wash. (AP) — A Snohomish County Council vote could be an initial step toward commercial air service at the Paine Field airport.

On Monday, the council voted 3-2 to approve a lease option for New York-based Propeller Airports.

The Daily Herald of Everett reports (http://is.gd/jA765e ) that the option gives the company three years to design a passenger terminal and perform environmental studies. After that, Propeller could sign a 30-year lease, with two optional 10-year extensions. The company would pay for building and operating the facility.

Propeller CEO Brett Smith says he'll be talking to airlines and exploring potential terminal designs. He says the area's population won't support more than a two-gate terminal.

Boeing Company has said regular commercial passenger flights at Paine Field would not interfere with its Everett factory, where it builds 747s, 787s and 777s.

A 2012 federal aviation study concluded that noise, traffic and pollution from commercial passenger jets would not harm nearby communities.