Judge Hears Arguments in El Toro Airport Case
A Superior Court judge, expected to rule on the legality of a March ballot measure aimed at thwarting construction of an airport at Orange County’s former El Toro Marine Base, instead ordered oral arguments Monday and said he would issue a ruling within 90 days.
In a 90-minute court hearing, Judge S. James Otero asked attorneys on both sides to address key issues relating to the challenge to Measure F, including whether the initiative usurps the authority of the Board of Supervisors.
Measure F, which passed March 7, requires approval by two-thirds of the voters before county supervisors could build or expand airports, large jails near homes and hazardous-waste landfills.
Both sides in the contentious debate were awaiting Otero’s ruling from the bench Monday. Instead, he asked for further arguments.
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