Anti-Airport Cities May Seek Authority
A group of South County cities will decide on Monday whether to ask the Orange County Board of Supervisors to grant them the authority to come up with a non-aviation plan for the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station.
With the supervisors moving forward with a proposal to build a commercial airport at the retiring military base, members of the El Toro Reuse Planning Authority say it makes sense for South County to have a hand in developing an alternative plan.
“This will be a parallel process that will give everyone a chance to compare the two plans,” said Susan Withrow, a Mission Viejo councilwoman and member of the board. The board is made up of leaders of South County cities that oppose an airport.
Supervisors voted in December to move ahead with an airport proposal but ordered a backup plan in case an airport is deemed unworkable. The El Toro Reuse Planning Authority’s proposal would create an organization to oversee the alternative plan.
Members of the committees would come from several segments of the county, including pro-airport groups such as the Orange County Building Industry Assn.
If the county doesn’t want to pay for the non-aviation use, Withrow said, South County cities will cover the cost.
The meeting will be held in Irvine City Hall, One Civic Center Plaza, at 6 p.m. Information: (714) 724-6000.
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