Riley Urges Marine Base Factions to Settle Differences : Speech: Incoming board chairman also outlines plan to help low-income residents buy homes.

New Board of Supervisors Chairman Thomas F. Riley on Tuesday urged factions warring for control of El Toro Marine Corps Air Station to settle their differences and also outlined a plan that might allow low-income residents to purchase homes with less money down.

In his State of the County address, Riley told a packed Hall of Administration chamber that converting the Marine base continues to be the “most complex and difficult” of his 19-year career on the board.

“I believe, however, that in the middle of difficulty lies opportunity,” Riley said. “Until everyone involved makes the effort to focus on what is best for the county, it will be difficult to move ahead.”

The conversion process for months has been slowed by divisiveness over who will control development of the 4,700-acre base. South County cities have waged a battle against commercial airport development, while North County cities support airport plans to boost local tourism.

Tuesday, Riley’s address left no doubt that he wanted the county to take the lead on future planning matters.

“As we move into the process of planning for the conversion of the El Toro Marine base, the county will be leading one of the most significant land-use efforts to date,” Riley said. “We have a unique opportunity to . . . craft what can ultimately be the centerpiece of our county.”

While describing El Toro’s conversion as “my No. 1 priority for 1994,” the 81-year-old supervisor also stressed the need to resuscitate the county’s library system and provide housing for low-income residents.

Riley said he was studying a plan to allow low-income residents to purchase homes by paying only 3% in down payments. Tuesday, Riley had few details of how the plan would work, but said the county would be joining with state authorities to create such a program for Orange County.

“The need is definitely there,” Riley said.

For Orange County’s beleaguered library system, Riley said he would consider increasing fees, seeking funding aid from cities or establishing special tax districts to replenish money lost last year.

Orange County’s library budget was slashed by nearly $6 million in 1993, causing a 44% reduction in operating hours.

“The impact on our library system has been severe,” Riley said. “Library materials, including periodical subscriptions, reference books, business services and new books has been decreased from $6 million to $1.5 million.”

Riley said he would call for the creation of a special “library task force” to make funding recommendations to the Board of Supervisors.

The supervisor, a former Marine Corps brigadier general, has represented the sprawling South County district since 1974, when he was appointed by then-Gov. Ronald Reagan.

Riley has announced that he will retire next year, at the end of his term.