SAN CLEMENTE
Months of frustration gave way to resignation when the City Council, heeding the advice of an aviation attorney, voted 4 to 1 not to sue the Marine Corps over a helipad being built nearby. Councilwoman Lois R. Berg dissented.
Barbara Lichman, an aviation attorney representing the city in its dispute with Camp Pendleton, warned the council it likely would not gain any further concessions through litigation than the Marine base’s commanding officer has already pledged.
“A judge will not limit operations at this base,†Lichman said at Friday’s special meeting. “He can’t do it, he doesn’t have the jurisdiction to do it, and neither does the appellate court.â€
The dispute centers around a Marine helicopter training field, composed of two parallel 3,000-foot airstrips, being built about 3 1/2 miles from the city. Residents near Camp Pendleton fear the additional helicopter activity will create a constant disturbance.
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