Judge Pushes Back Measure F Hearing Date Into August

A Los Angeles County judge for the second time has postponed a hearing on the fate of Measure F, which was expected Friday, instead pushing the decision date to Aug. 23.

Judge S. James Otero is expected to issue a ruling on the measure, passed overwhelmingly by Orange County voters in March, which limits the ability of county supervisors to build a commercial airport at the closed El Toro Marine base.

Uncertainty over the fate of El Toro has placed most of the county’s pro-airport activities in limbo, except for the completion of a state mandated environmental analysis. Supervisors had hoped to have the court ruling by July 14, when a new manager to coordinate planning for El Toro is slated to start work. However, supervisors haven’t yet filled that position.

Pro-airport forces sued after passage of Measure F, arguing that it was unconstitutional and violated state law. Anti-airport forces have defended the measure, saying that it properly places decisions about large land-use projects with voters instead of politicians who could be influenced by special interests.