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POINT MUGU : Supervisors Amend Airfield Agreement

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In an attempt to secure the support of three cities, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors voted 4 to 1 Tuesday to change the text of an agreement that would govern a proposed military and civilian airfield at the Point Mugu Navy base.

The amendment involved removing a clause from the joint powers agreement that would have given the county leaders final say on whether the project would be submitted to federal authorities for consideration.

Only Supervisor Maggie Kildee voted against the motion.

Kildee, who represents most of the Camarillo area, also voted to oppose the agreement when it was first considered by the board at its Jan. 31 meeting.

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Camarillo’s city officials and many residents oppose the development of the Navy airstrip to accommodate civilian jetliners, citing concerns about safety and air and noise pollution.

Even though officials in the cities of Oxnard, Ventura and Thousand Oaks supported the agreement when it was first circulated, they have since balked at supporting the document with the clause added by the board in January.

“I suspect with this element now gone, we will be able to get back on track quickly,” said Supervisor John K. Flynn, a leading proponent of the joint-use proposal.

So far, only the city of Port Hueneme has approved the amended agreement.

Flynn said that even without the clause, the county will still exercise its authority when the time comes for the board to consider changing the zoning designation of the land surrounding the Navy base to accommodate the joint-use airport.

Flynn said that he expects the three cities to quickly ratify the agreement. Following that action, the supervisor said he expects the Point Mugu Joint Powers Authority to soon schedule its first meeting.

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