Countywide : Nonaviation Uses of El Toro Base on Agenda

Orange County planning officials are turning to the public to discuss how the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station can be redeveloped for community use.

The county will have a public hearing at 7 tonight at the Irvine Ranch Water District in Irvine to unveil six nonaviation alternatives to a commercial airport proposed for El Toro once the military leaves the base.

Suggestions include a sports center, an entertainment center and theme park, even horse and race car tracks.

After the county’s presentation, the hearing will be opened to the public for comments about the county’s preliminary proposals or suggestions on base uses.

“It’s very important for us to get as much public comment as we can,” said Courtney Wiercioch, manager of government and community relations at John Wayne Airport, who is assisting in the county planning process for the El Toro base.

Orange County voters in November 1994 narrowly endorsed a proposal to develop a commercial airport when the military abandons the El Toro base in 1999. But the county must also consider nonaviation uses in case an airport is deemed unsuitable.

The fate of El Toro remains a hotly debated topic. A rival measure that would effectively block the airport is on the March ballot.

Supporters say an airport will bring thousands of jobs and energize the economy. Opponents have no faith in the county’s base planning process and fear that an airport will bring noise and traffic.

An hourlong open house precedes tonight’s public meeting at Irvine Ranch Water District, 15600 Sand Canyon Ave.

Public comments will be turned over to the county’s base reuse planning authority, which meets at 4 p.m. Jan. 25 at the County Hall of Administration, to discuss the regional demand for a commercial airport.