Costa Mesa might open El Toro discussion to public

Jennifer Kho

COSTA MESA -- The city might start new public discussions about the

proposed airport at El Toro.

Councilwoman Karen Robinson, who has been noncommittal about plans to

build an airport at the closed El Toro Marine Corps Air Station since she

took office last year, announced at Monday’s City Council meeting that

she wants the city to hold a public forum on the issue.

“I think it’s about time we have a public forum to get a pulse for

what city residents feel about El Toro and John Wayne,” she said. “I

would like to arrange some kind of town hall meeting on that.”

The county has proposed building a much-debated airport at El Toro

that would be able to accommodate 20.8 million passengers per year by

2025.

Three organizations have been highly involved in the debate. They

include the El Toro Reuse Planning Authority, which is made up of the

South County cities and wants the John Wayne Airport to expand so an

airport at El Toro can be avoided; and the Airport Working Group and

Orange County Regional Airport Authority, which both oppose any expansion

at John Wayne Airport and favor an airport at El Toro.

The Airport Working Group held two public forums about the issue in

Costa Mesa in 1999, but David Ellis, a consultant to the group, said he

favors another one.

“I think the more education, the better,” he said. “I think the key

issues are the interrelationship between John Wayne, the aviation demand

in the region and El Toro.

“Some council members may be a little detached from what their

community thinks on the issue, but if Councilwoman Robinson wants to hear

it for herself, I think it’s great,” he continued.

Councilwoman Linda Dixon, who does not support an airport at El Toro,

said she would have no problem with the city holding another forum.

“I think if people want to discuss it and want us to know their

feelings one way or another, it would be fine to have one.”

Councilman Gary Monahan, who favors an airport at El Toro, said he

also would support another public forum.

“It’s about time we have public forums again,” Monahan said.

“Obviously some members of council just don’t get it, so we need to have

more information again before the next ballot campaign.”