Weak Coalition Threatens O.C. Stake in Base

SANTA ANA —  Only days before a key Defense Department briefing in Washington, county government officials are finding their strategy for the post-military conversion of El Toro Marine Corps Air Station in near disarray.

Still threatened by a group of cities led by Newport Beach, which are promoting the Marine post as a future regional airport, county supervisors Thursday were scrambling to tighten a coalition that earlier in the week lost key support from the city of Irvine.

In an attempt to keep the fragile coalition together, the county staff has issued a sternly worded memo that, in effect, threatens to oust uncooperative cities from the county effort to plan the base’s future.

“This really concerns me,” Board of Supervisors Chairman Harriett M. Wieder said of the dispute that has cities competing against each other and the county for control of El Toro’s future. “It’s not going to look good (in Washington) if we don’t have a united front. It’s worrisome, because if there is no consensus, then the Department of Defense would give El Toro to another entity to control.”

The 4,700-acre base, at the center of a tug-of-war because of its prime redevelopment potential, is scheduled to close in four to six years.

Said one supervisor’s aide who declined to be identified: “This is just real disturbing to us. There is an awful lot at stake here. The message from Washington has always been clear: Bring the community together and the money will flow. Now, with Irvine (possibly) pulling out, we have three high-profile groups wanting control.”

The recent fragmentation of support--prompted by disagreement over the makeup of a county advisory commission that would oversee planning for the site--is especially troubling because the Defense Department has scheduled a meeting Monday with leaders of U.S. communities facing base closures.

The Board of Supervisors had hoped to reach agreement on the makeup of the advisory committee at its regular meeting Tuesday, in order to show a spirit of cooperation to federal officials scheduled to hold a public hearing the following day at El Toro.

Supervisor Gaddi H. Vasquez, who is expected to represent the county at the Monday meeting in Washington with Defense Secretary Les Aspin, could not be reached for comment.

Irvine Mayor Michael Ward also plans to attend the Aspin briefing, partly to hear the federal government’s action plan, but also to find out how Irvine’s application as the lead planning agency for El Toro might be received.

“I am going to try to use this opportunity to find out how the government feels, what type of organization the government is looking for. Would the government accept (Irvine and other South County cities) if the county elected not to join us?” Ward said.

The potential three-way split has existed almost since the day the El Toro base was placed on the closure list. Newport Beach, Anaheim and other central Orange County cities have steadfastly lobbied for a regional commercial airport, while South County cities including Irvine oppose that plan.

Tugged and pulled by the competing interests, the county has promised to act as mediator and explore all options in the planning process, while maintaining the right to make the final decision.

For now, Newport Beach has agreed to work with the county. But the six-city coalition that it leads--the Orange County Cities Airport Authority--has not abandoned its mission and continues to work behind the scenes on its own plan, should the county’s strategy unravel.

The group has proposed a separate agency that would include the county and any city that wishes to participate.

“I think this is something that is so big and encompasses all of Orange County, that I think it should be all the cities deciding with the county,” said Anaheim Councilman Irv Pickler, who chairs the airport authority.

Irvine’s dissatisfaction erupted Tuesday after an early draft of the county’s plan gave only four of 17 votes to the South County, which is closest to the base. More importantly, Ward added, Irvine wants the final decisions to be made not just by the supervisors, but by a joint-powers authority that would give one-third of the vote to the city.

Another third of the vote would come from the South County cities, and the remainder from the supervisors.

However, the plan to be voted on by the supervisors Tuesday rejects that power-sharing arrangement and would instead strengthen the county’s leadership position.

The supervisors would be the final decision-making authority and their proposed 19-member advisory committee would be chaired by Supervisor Thomas F. Riley, with Vasquez acting as vice chairman. Both represent South County. The supervisors also would appoint five members to the advisory panel.

The plan also appears to give the South County area the heavy influence it was seeking on the advisory committee, although it would not satisfy Mission Viejo council members lobbying for a slot on the panel.

According to the latest draft of the county’s plan, participating South County cities would include Irvine, Lake Forest, Laguna Hills and Tustin. Leisure World of Laguna Hills, an anti-airport community, also would have a vote. Pro-airport cities to be invited are Newport Beach and Anaheim.

Business community representatives would include the Irvine Co., the Orange County Chamber of Commerce, the Industrial League of Orange County, the Building Industry Assn. and the South Orange County Chamber of Commerce.

Members who participate in other base-conversion planning efforts, such as competing joint-powers authorities, would lose their seats at the table and their slots would be filled at the discretion of the supervisors, according to the draft plan.

County Administrative Officer Ernie Schneider said he and Riley met with Irvine officials earlier this week and left believing that the city would be part of the county coalition.

“If Irvine wants to form a joint-powers authority, it’s not going to be in the best interests of anyone,” Schneider said. “I’m optimistic that they are going to be sitting at the table with us. I just don’t think it’s going to be a problem.”

Times correspondent Shelby Grad contributed to this report.