Lake Forest Sues Airport Land-Use Commission Over Restrictions

The city of Lake Forest has filed a lawsuit against a state-created commission that regulates land uses around airports, arguing that it no longer has jurisdiction over property near the closed El Toro Marine base.

The lawsuit alleges that the Airport Land Use Commission of Orange County ignored El Toro’s July closure when it adopted a land-use plan in October that continues development restrictions around the base.

The city is also challenging a requirement by the commission that property owners who want to build near the base sign so-called avigation easements for future aircraft flights. The easements would bar lawsuits over noise once the county builds a planned commercial airport at El Toro.

The city also alleges that the commission violated state laws by continuing its restrictions around El Toro because there is no approved airport plan to replace the abandoned airfield. The Board of Supervisors won’t take a final vote to approve the airport until May.

County officials could not be reached late Wednesday for comment.