Bates Seeks Advisory Vote on Airport Site

Rep. Jim Bates called Wednesday for county supervisors to place a measure on the November ballot asking voters to express their opinion on whether Miramar Naval Air Station should also be the site of a commercial airport.

Bates (D-San Diego) said he will ask Supervisors Leon Williams and Brian Bilbray to draft a proposal for consideration by fellow supervisors. Last week, Williams and Bilbray led the board in directing the county staff to work with the Navy to find a way to use Miramar for both commercial and military aviation purposes.

“I would like the county Board of Supervisors to put an advisory measure before the public asking them whether they want Miramar to be a joint-use facility,” said Bates, who also made a commitment last week to introduce legislation leading to joint commercial and military use of Miramar.

Neither Williams nor Bilbray could be reached Wednesday for comment.

Bates’ call for a ballot measure follows the release of two recent studies by the San Diego Assn. of Governments on how to alleviate crowding at Lindbergh Field. A December, 1989, study listed Miramar as a possible site for an international airport; another study released last week ruled out Brown Field near the U.S.-Mexico border for such a use, saying that mountains to the east would impede commercial jet takeoffs and landings.

The reports, however, have spurred those opposed to Miramar’s use as a civilian airport. Residents who live near Miramar have expressed concern about airport noise and more traffic.

Rep. Bill Lowery (R-San Diego) and San Diego City Council members Linda Bernhardt, Judy McCarty and Abbe Wolfsheimer--all of whom represent areas near the Miramar base--said at a press conference Tuesday that the Navy must maintain exclusive rights to Miramar to conduct important military operations.

The Navy has repeatedly stated that it will neither abandon nor share the facility, saying that it would be dangerous to mix military and commercial aircraft.

“It’s important to find out if the majority of people support it,” Bates said. “I think the Congress would respond if they did. But, if the majority doesn’t want it, the issue is moot.”