Tustin Base Belongs on County Tax Rolls : * Marine Corps Air Station Represents 1,200 Prime Acres for Potential Development

The closing of military bases is not often well received in affected communities around the nation, as evidenced by the parade of congressmen making their case these days in Washington. But the mild response of Rep. Christopher Cox (R-Newport Beach) to the planned closing of the Tustin Marine Corps Air Station--his preference is for commercial development at the site rather than making it into parkland--reflects a wider acceptance of what fate apparently has in store for this base.

Tustin’s leaders are to be commended for positioning the city to shape the base’s future. While they have not been overjoyed with the potential loss of business from the Marines, they have quickly taken a realistic view.

The closing of the base (with the exception of housing and other base facilities that will be retained for use by Marines stationed at nearby El Toro Marine Corps Air Station) will open to potential development a centrally located patch of 1,200 prime acres in Orange County. And everybody seems to recognize the potential.

The Navy, for example, recently told the commission that it will make recommendations to President Bush that Tustin stood out among proposed base closings because of its potential to deliver substantial revenue to the Pentagon if sold to private developers. The city fathers, also recognizing the chance to bring in new tax dollars, wisely dispensed with denial and hand-wringing and moved directly to the planning stage. They are talking about developing the site into a mixed-use community of industries, businesses and homes.

As such, Tustin joins other communities in Northern California and elsewhere that are trying to get ahead of the curve on base closings. For example, Sunnyvale and Mountain View are working with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and a consortium of aerospace firms to save facilities at Moffett Field Naval Air Station.

Tustin has some toxic waste contamination, but the problems are not as serious as at some other sites. The property must also be screened for use by other government agencies. But with careful environmental planning--preserving some of that valuable open space--it makes sense to put this land on the tax rolls. Irvine, whose residents complain about the safety of helicopter flights, surely will not grieve over the closing.

This may be a rare opportunity to provide something for everybody. Tustin is right to be thinking now about how it would like to shape the future of this land.