IRVINE : Base Closing Is Top Issue in Council Race

The future of the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station has emerged as a top issue in the campaign to fill a vacancy on the Irvine City Council.

The city has been grappling with the El Toro issue for much of the year, first campaigning to keep the base open and now fighting for a voice in planning its future. Another issue in the November election is affordable housing.

Three candidates are vying to serve the remaining year in the term of William A. (Art) Bloomer, who resigned from the council last month to take a job in Virginia. They are:

* Marc Goldstone, 37, a principal design engineer at Western Digital and a planning commissioner.

* Alireza Jazayeri, 47, a marketing consultant and community services commissioner.

* Greg Smith, 44, owner of an auto parts distribution company and a member of the Irvine Unified School District Board of Education.

On the El Toro issue, all three candidates give general support to the idea that the city should be a “key player” in the base’s redevelopment.

Smith and Goldstone said they oppose transforming the base into a commercial airport. Smith said such a move could create serious noise, traffic and safety problems for the city, while Goldstone added that a commercial airport might decrease local property values.

Jazayeri said he would have to further study the El Toro situation before making a final decision. But he stressed the importance of finding a use that both benefited the economy and serves “the best interests of the people.”

Whoever is elected on Nov. 2 will also deal with the issue of affordable housing, which city officials have made a priority in recent years. Many new developments are required to set aside some units for affordable housing, and the construction of a single-room occupancy hotel has also been proposed.

Goldstone expressed support for the city’s efforts, saying that affordable housing allows “our children to live and contribute to the community.”

Jazayeri also said he generally supports the idea. But he said the city should take into the account the opinions of nearby residents when deciding where to place low-cost housing.

Smith said it might be time for the city to review its affordable housing policy and suggested that the city look into the possibility of using El Toro base housing to provide low-cost dwellings.

Each candidate had a different response when asked what he thought was the most critical issue now facing Irvine.

Goldstone said it was the El Toro redevelopment, which he said could produce numerous negative impacts on the community.

Jazayeri stressed the need to preserve Irvine’s high “quality of life” during tough economic times and as Irvine continues to grow.

Smith said the most pressing issue was public safety, calling it a top priority. “It’s important to have a safe place to live,” he said.