El Toro Airport Study and Irvine
I agree with Irv Pickler’s commentary that a joint-use El Toro airport study is needed (Feb. 7).
One point he did not bring out is the cleverness of the City of Irvine: On one hand it is approving massive development in the John Wayne Airport area that will increase airport use. At the same time, it adamantly opposes joint use of El Toro Marine Corps Air Station--which could handle the increased demand--because of noise and safety problems.
Irvine thus appears to have its cake and eat it too. It gets all the economic benefits from high-rise development while avoiding airport noise and safety problems, leaving those problems for Newport Beach and Tustin residents.
If Irvine wants growth, it should be able to accept the side effects, including airports. Ironically, Irvine would have less traffic passing through the city if the El Toro airfield were used because south county residents would not have to drive through Irvine to get to the airport.
JAN D. VANDERSLOOT, M.D.
Newport Beach
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