San Diego : Council Seeks Another Sandag Airport Study

Looking for the answer to an old riddle, the San Diego City Council on Monday voted to ask the San Diego Assn. of Governments (Sandag) to again study what should be done with Lindbergh Field downtown.

The council’s decision arose out of a discussion of what to do with 715 acres at North Island Naval Air Station under the city’s jurisdiction. The City of Coronado wants to annex the land.

Although San Diego city officials originally agreed to Coronado’s request, they had second thoughts on Monday. In a report, city staff members reminded council members that the land was once recommended as an alternative to Lindbergh Field. In light of current discussions about the future of commercial aviation in the area, giving the land to Coronado might be “premature,” staff members said.

With that, council members voted to ask Coronado to wait six months before proceeding with annexation plans. But Coronado Mayor R.H. Dorman, testifying at the meeting, said his city won’t wait and will pursue the move without San Diego’s blessings.

San Diego council members then decided that the fate of Lindbergh Field, a well-worn issue, should be re-examined. They voted unanimously to instruct the city’s representative to Sandag, Councilman Ed Struiksma, to request the study.

During discussion, Councilman Bill Cleator said he thought a new commercial airport should be located at Miramar Naval Air Station.

Mayor Maureen O’Connor said the Navy has been reluctant to give up Miramar or consolidate its air operations at North Island, but she agreed to bring up the subject when she meets with Navy officials next week in Washington.