Council Expected to Endorse Airport
The City Council is expected to endorse the county’s proposal for a civilian airport at El Toro during its meeting Monday.
A resolution, which states, “El Toro’s redevelopment is the most important economic decision for the region for the next century,” is expected to win unanimous approval from City Council members.
The El Toro Marine Corps Air Station is scheduled for closure in 1999. “The airport would create more high-paid technical jobs, and a lot of businesses would decide to come to Orange County if they could receive shipping or send it,” Councilwoman Alice Jempsa said.
At a Nov. 25 meeting, city leaders acknowledged that South County cities oppose the airport plan. But council members agreed the economic benefits outweigh negative impacts.
“I don’t think the people objecting really have good reasons except they don’t want it in their backyard,” Jempsa said.
Councilman Ronald Bates said, “We’re not trying to make the environment, noise or traffic around the base any worse than it is now.”
A draft environmental impact report on the proposed airport, which already has been approved by the county Planning Commission, will go before the Orange County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday.
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