IRVINE : Measure A Draws Fire on Council

The City Council turned thumbs down on Measure A this week, a November initiative asking voters to require that a commercial airport be built at the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station.

After unanimously passing a resolution against the ballot measure, council members called on the Irvine Co. to abandon its neutrality and oppose the countywide Measure A.

The Irvine Co. should “come out and let us know where they truly stand on this issue, which is backed by the largest landowners in Orange County,” said Councilwoman Paula Werner.

Councilwoman Christina L. Shea said the council’s opposition to Measure A should not be interpreted as a vote either for or against a commercial airport at the military base. Council members are supporting the continuing study of potential uses for the Marine base by the El Toro Reuse Planning Authority.

“I don’t think we should support ballot box planning,” Mayor Michael Ward said.

But Irvine Co. officials say they will not take a position on the ballot measure.

“We have taken no position on Measure A and we do not expect to do so,” said Irvine Co. spokeswoman Dawn McCormick. “It’s an issue best left to the voters.”

Werner argues that the Irvine Co. has a stake in defeating Measure A. Traffic and noise in the city could increase dramatically with a commercial airport nearby, she said.

“The Irvine Co. is the landowner who has believed in having a planned community,” Werner said. “This initiative takes away a lot of our planning authority and would preclude our ability to look at all the uses for El Toro.”