Process for El Toro Options Called Sham

IRVINE —  Plans to build something other than a commercial airport at the El Toro military base were criticized at a public hearing Thursday night, mostly by South County residents who said they are skeptical that the county is seriously considering alternatives.

Many of the more than 85 people who showed up at the Irvine Ranch Water District as the El Toro Local Redevelopment Authority unveiled six non-aviation proposals for the base said they consider the process a sham.

“This is all smoke and mirrors,” Roger Alton of Lake Forest said. “The county is set on a commercial airport. They’re just going through the motions.”

That’s exactly the sentiment the county was hoping to quell with the meeting. Michael Ruane, head of the county’s Environmental Management Agency who is also coordinating the base reuse plan, told the crowd the county remains open-minded about the future of the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station.

“We are embarking on a comprehensive and objective reuse project,” he said.

Voters in November 1994 narrowly endorsed Measure A, which calls for developing a commercial airport at El Toro after the military leaves in 1999.

But the county must also consider non-aviation uses in case a commercial airport is deemed unsuitable.

As a result, the county is listening to suggestions and gathering community response to its six other conceptual plans, which include a movie theme park, a sports and entertainment center, an automotive center that would include research and development facilities and a race track, a planned residential community and a school.

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The ideas are only conceptual. The only certain aspect of the base’s future is a 1,084-acre nature reserve and an airport surveillance radar that will remain in place.

Several spoke in favor of some of the county’s suggestions, such as Ann Haggerty of Mission Viejo, who endorsed the idea of expanding a college campus such as Saddleback Community College and building research and development facilities. Randy Johnson of Lake Forest had his own idea: creating a federal trade zone for importing and exporting goods.

One woman from Newport Beach even spoke in favor of an airport. But the crowd shouted her down.

Not everyone came to the meeting with their minds made up.

“I’m willing to hear what they have to say,” said Brian Spiegel of Irvine.

The comments ultimately will be presented to the Orange County Citizens Advisory Commission, which will recommend a plan to county supervisors.

The federal government, which owns the base, has the final say on how it will be used.

The fate of the 4,700-acre base is one of the most critical planning decisions facing the county, and it remains mired in controversy.

Airport supporters, including many business owners and developers, say a second commercial airport will energize the economy and bring thousands of jobs.

Opponents, who fear an airport’s impact on noise, traffic and home values, have succeeded in putting rival Measure S on the March ballot. That plan would ground airport plans and reassign to local government responsibility for determining the base’s fate.

The issue has caused political rifts. Many elected officials in South County rejected the county’s offer of an advisory role in the planning process, arguing they deserve greater say because their communities will be directly affected.

Several local cities have since sued to block an airport.