IRVINE : Supervisors’ Airport Vote Condemned

The City Council has unanimously condemned the county Board of Supervisors for voting to withdraw by year’s end from the agency planning the development of the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station.

Council members said Tuesday night the city will join with other South County cities, which oppose a commercial airport at the El Toro Marine base, should those cities sue to force the supervisors to reverse their decision.

“The Board of Supervisors has to realize there are more people than those who live north of the 55 Freeway,” said Irvine Mayor Michael Ward. “If they don’t listen, we will be in line with the South County cities to pursue litigation.”

Irvine had played a leading role as a member of the planning agency--the El Toro Reuse Planning Authority. The agency was created in a compromise reached between airport advocates in the north and opponents in the south. The planning agency was considering an airport at El Toro along with other options including a university, a theme park and an industrial site.

But on Nov. 8, county voters narrowly approved Measure A, which calls for the building of a commercial airport at the El Toro Marine base. Supervisor Thomas F. Riley, who represents South County, said supervisors are responding to the will of the voters.

“My problem was that when something is approved by the voters, I’ve been told that I’m supposed to say, ‘Aye, aye, sir,’ and do it,” Riley said. “I was hopeful that Measure A would not pass.”

Riley, a Newport Beach resident, said he does not want to see the planning agency dismantled.