Leisure World Sues U.S. Over Unused Land

Leisure World in Laguna Woods filed suit against the federal government Wednesday, accusing it of refusing to honor a 1974 agreement to lift a ban on commercial development on eight parcels when military operations ceased at El Toro.

Under the agreement, Leisure World developer Ross Cortese was compensated for being prohibited from using the parcels, which ring the huge retirement community off Moulton Parkway and El Toro Road. Many of the parcels are surrounded by non-Leisure World properties that have been rezoned and developed, community officials said.

“The military wanted to restrict the population density beneath the flight paths of jets flying over with armament as a public safety,” said Greg Smith, a Leisure World spokesman.

Leisure World’s management company, Professional Community Management, has been in negotiations for six months seeking to have the restrictions lifted so the company can market the parcels.

Military officials could not be reached for comment.

“This is a property-rights issue between the community and the federal government,” said Bob Ring, of the Golden Rain Foundation board, which is representing homeowners groups. He said the suit has nothing to do with the plan for an airport at the Marine base, which Laguna Woods officials oppose.