IRVINE
Irvine has cleared room for another South County city to join the fight against an international airport at the former El Toro Marine Corps Air Station.
The Rancho Santa Margarita City Council unanimously voted Thursday to join the El Toro Reuse Planning Authority. The newly incorporated city will occupy one of the three seats Irvine held on the board.
The authority is a coalition of South County cities that has led the battle to prevent the county from building an airport on the former Marine base.
Councilman Gary Thompson, who will represent Rancho Santa Margarita on the board, said the city is excited about pulling its weight.
“Up to this point in time, by not being a city, it’s been difficult to express our views as well as really get involved in the fight,” he said.
Voting members of the authority’s board pay annual dues of $500,000 or more.
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