Irvine Council OKs Bonita Canyon Deal

IRVINE —  Satisfied that Newport Beach won’t interfere with its attempt to annex the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station, the Irvine City Council voted Tuesday to let Newport Beach take Bonita Canyon.

The decision came after several tense weeks during which it looked as though Irvine might back out of a deal to turn over 334 acres to Newport Beach because officials here believed the coastal city had hired former County Supervisor Don Saltarelli to interfere with the Irvine annexation of El Toro.

“It was a risky step we took, but a victorious outcome,” Irvine Mayor Christina L. Shea said, adding that the unanimous council vote Tuesday night put an end to “a six-week crisis.”

Irvine officials seek control over El Toro to prevent the surplus base from becoming a civilian airport when the Marines pull out in 1999. Newport Beach is a major supporter of the El Toro development plan, believing it will relieve congestion at John Wayne Airport.

Responding to demands from Shea, Newport Beach officials released the terms of Saltarelli’s consulting contract on Monday and reiterated that they would not impede Irvine’s attempts to annex El Toro.

According to the contract, Saltarelli has been hired to review all documents and attend all meetings about the reuse of El Toro. Saltarelli had been retained by Newport Beach for one month last year. On Monday, Newport’s council voted to pay Saltarelli $180,000 to advise the city on airport issues for one year.

Newport Beach officials said Irvine misunderstood the role Saltarelli will play in their city and hoped they could put the incident behind them.

“This whole situation has been very unfortunate because we work well together on so many issues,” said Newport Beach Councilwoman Norma Glover.

Irvine officials said they are relieved the controversy has ended because they support Newport’s bid to annex Bonita Canyon, where it would be more convenient for children to attend schools in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District.

Irvine Unified School District does not have an elementary school near Bonita Canyon. And Irvine’s nearest high school, University High School, is already crowded. Newport-Mesa Unified School District has several schools nearby as well as a high school that has been underenrolled for years.

Among the residents who packed council chambers Tuesday were some who took exception to Shea’s political maneuvering with school issues hanging in the balance.

“Mayor Shea, you risked our kids, but you gambled and you won,” Irvine resident Leslie Campbell said. “In the future please put children and education above politics.”

The plan to give Bonita Canyon a Newport Beach address was jointly submitted to the Local Agency Formation Commission by Irvine and Newport Beach in December. LAFCO has not yet set a date to hear the matter.

Times correspondent Lisa Addison contributed to this report.