Tustin Exits Pro-Airport Group

Bowing to the will of the voters, the Tustin City Council unanimously voted Monday to withdraw from a pro-El Toro airport council and discussed joining the fight against any expansion of John Wayne Airport.

About 68% of Tustin residents voted March 7 in favor of Measure F, the anti-El Toro airport initiative, making it the North County city with the highest concentration of “yes” votes.

The council’s action means it will withdraw from the Orange County Regional Airport Authority, which favors developing an airport at the retired El Toro Marine Corps Air Station.

But the council chose not to join the El Toro Reuse Planning Authority, a coalition of cities opposed to an airport.

Mayor Tracy Wills Worley said she did not want the city to join because she feared such a relationship could jeopardize Tustin’s efforts to recycle the Tustin Marine Corps Air Station for city use.

Worley explained that she expects the planning authority will be involved in lawsuits against the federal government, and Tustin is involved in negotiations with the Pentagon.

Instead, the council expressed interest in working to halt expansion of John Wayne, which many believe will be enlarged if an El Toro airport is not built.

“I think work that has to be done is blocking the expansion of John Wayne,” said Councilman Jeffery M. Thomas, who opposes an airport at El Toro.

“Let’s look at alternatives. I think we have wonderful opportunity to do something with Ontario [International Airport].”

The City Council previously voted to take a neutral stance on Measure F. Then on Jan. 17, it voted 3 to 2 to favor the measure, which requires two-thirds of county voters to approve any projects involving airports, hazardous-waste landfills and large jails within a half-mile of homes.

Thomas had urged the council to withdraw from the regional airport authority prior to the March election, but the council voted against changing membership.

After the election, council members said they needed to reflect the will of the voters.