Supervisors to discuss El Toro options

Noaki Schwartz

NEWPORT BEACH -- Hearing the increasingly loud voice of opposition to an

airport at the former El Toro Marine Corps air base, the Orange County

Board of Supervisors on Wednesday will consider other uses for the site.

“At present, there seem to be three basic alternatives facing the board

[regarding the site],” said county spokeswoman Diane Thomas, adding that

the board could continue pursuing the airport, choose an entirely

different use, or change its status as the Local Redevelopment Agency.

Those possibilities will be expanded into seven detailed options by

presenters, including county CEO Jan Mittermeier, who will walk the board

through each avenue.

The Wednesday study session will cover the different options for El Toro,

as well as the implications and costs for each.

Presenters will summarize the history of the base since 1993 and look at the path supervisors have taken toward building an airport -- a project

that has so far cost more than $27 million.

The presenters will also review previous board decisions and summarize

the two airport-related initiatives -- Measure A and Measure F.

Measure A, approved by voters in 1994, amended the county’s general plan

to allow El Toro to be used as an airport.

Measure F, which enjoyed a landslide victory in March, gives residents

the final say on certain county projects, including commercial airports.

The measure is being contested in court, but has already halted further

El Toro spending until a decision is made on its status.

Newport Beach Councilman Dennis O’Neil said he hopes the supervisors’

review will lead to greater communication in the split county.

“I think it’s important that we take some action to extend the settlement

agreement [at John Wayne Airport] and that would be through some type of

formal request to the Board of Supervisors,” O’Neil said, citing Mayor

John Noyes’ recent announcement restating the city’s wish for extended

flight and noise limits at John Wayne.

Two weeks ago, when the board decided to hold this study session, North

County reaction ranged from shock to support. Some, like Costa Mesa City

Councilwoman Heather Somers, were left nearly speechless by the move. But

Noyes supported the session, saying it was healthy.

Still others from the old airport guard, including former Newport Beach

mayor Tom Edwards -- who helped author the 1985 John Wayne Airport

settlement agreement -- said it was a sign of the dissipation of the

current El Toro process.

At the time, some South County representatives considered the

supervisors’ decision to explore non-airport options a major victory.

Others, however, such as anti-airport activist Leonard Kranser, were

suspicious about getting fair consideration.

The study session Wednesday will be followed by a public hearing at 4

p.m. May 16.

FYI

* What: Orange County Board of Supervisors study session

* When: 8 a.m. Wednesday

* Where: Board Hearing Room at the Hall of Administration, 10 Civic

Center Plaza, Santa Ana

EL TORO OPTIONS

* Pursue the airport in accordance with Measure A.

* Pursue the airport, but suspend planning pending a final court decision

on the validity of Measure F.

* Pursue the airport, but suspend further planning activity subject to a

vote.

* Pursue the airport, but expand the Local Redevelopment Authority beyond

the members of the Board of Supervisors.

* Pursue an alternative with the Board of Supervisors continuing as the

Local Redevelopment Authority.

* Pursue an alternative and expand the Local Redevelopment Authority

beyond the members of the Board of Supervisors.

* The Board of Supervisors withdraws as the Local Redevelopment

Authority.