LAGUNA NIGUEL

City officials and residents are hoping they are closer to putting an end to plans to turn the retiring El Toro Marine Corps Air Station into a major commercial airport. Council members voted Tuesday to join a federally recognized transportation organization that oversees such developments. City Manager Tim Casey said the city’s membership in the Southern California Assn. of Governments, commonly known as SCAG, will help officials monitor the association’s activities when it comes to airport planning and give the city greater opportunities to voice its concerns.