Developer Is Picketed for El Toro Plan

About 150 Coto de Caza residents opposed to a commercial airport at El Toro picketed the home of developer William Lyon as he hosted a $1,000-a-plate fund-raiser Tuesday for Orange County Supervisor Jim Silva, an airport proponent.

“This is an insult and a slap in the face to Coto residents,” said Mike Ameel, one of those waving banners and chanting outside Lyon’s home.

Jeff Metzger, a protest organizer, said most residents of Coto de Caza, a gated community near the site of the proposed airport, feel that Lyon’s action “is an insensitive show of disrespect to us. For him to take money out of Coto and use it against us is offensive.”

A Lyon spokesman said the prominent developer would have no comment on either the fund-raising dinner or the protest.

Matthew Cunningham, a spokesman for Silva, described the protest as inappropriate. “Everybody has the right to demonstrate,” he said, “but this election is up to the voters . . . and they are concerned about a lot more than just the airport.”

Silva faces an anti-airport opponent in his campaign for reelection in November.

County officials have proposed building an international airport at El Toro Marine Corps Air Station when the military closes the base in July. The plan is vehemently opposed by many South County residents.

As the demonstrators, many with their children in tow, marched and chanted on an equestrian trail next to Lyon’s estate, Orange County sheriff’s deputies arrived to warn them that they would be arrested for trespassing unless they moved to the street. The deputies said they were there at the request of Lyon, who was prepared to press charges against anyone trespassing on his property.

Most of the protesters refused to budge, however, arguing that the 8-foot-wide equestrian trail was a common area for the community. “This is what we pay for,” resident Emille Villa shouted angrily. “We pay to walk here.”

The deputies didn’t press the matter but did not retreat. As darkness fell, the protesters gradually drifted away without incident.

Larry Painton, one of the demonstrators, said he and his neighbors feel that Lyon has betrayed fellow Coto residents.

“This is about being a loyal neighbor,” he said. “People are upset that he’s not supporting the community.”