Measure F targets El Toro, but what about JWA?

Greg Risling

NEWPORT BEACH -- It sounds like a Newport Beach-friendly plan that will

guard against an expansion of John Wayne Airport.

But those opposing Measure F warn voters that the initiative on Tuesday’s

ballot won’t shield John Wayne from future expansion. They believe the

measure is mired with false promises, legal loopholes and wishful

thinking.

“I have zero faith that Measure F will protect us from expansion,” said

Tom Naughton, president of the Newport Beach-based Airport Working Group,

which supports the proposed airport at El Toro. “If you look at the

demand in this region for airline service, there is no way there won’t be

pressure to expand John Wayne if it is the only game in town.”

Much is at stake in the Herculean battle over Measure F. If passed, the

initiative would require two-thirds voter approval for new airports,

hazardous waste landfills and jails.

More explicitly, the measure reads that any physical expansion and change

in operations at any existing airport must be subjected to the same

formula.

San Francisco land-use attorney Richard Jacobs, who wrote the measure,

said it would be hypocritical to require a two-thirds majority to approve

an airport at El Toro and not for John Wayne.

“Part of the thinking was that we have to be consistent,” he said. “The

intent was not only to protect cities around El Toro, but also around

John Wayne. The measure does give them the protection they don’t have

right now.”

Local airport activists said the measure’s definition of “expansion” will

be left to legal interpretation. Naughton said the initiative doesn’t

preclude the county from expanding John Wayne because there will be a

huge demand over the next 10 to 20 years for additional flights in Orange

County.

When a settlement agreement -- which limits the number of flights and

passengers out of John Wayne each year -- expires in 2005, Naughton

believes Measure F won’t be able to put the brakes on the expansion.

The scenario could be frightening, Naughton added. If the measure passes,

El Toro may not get off the ground. Residents countywide could form an

alliance calling for a larger-scale John Wayne. It would leave

Newport-Mesa in the minority, stranded on its own political island, he

said.

Political consultant Eileen Padberg said the future of the county’s

airport dilemma will likely be decided in court. Many observers expect

the measure will be contested, if approved by voters Tuesday. Padberg

said the initiative’s language prohibits any expansion at John Wayne, but

if El Toro is ever put to vote and rejected, residents will be faced with

only one option.

“It’s irresponsible to say if you don’t build El Toro, you won’t expand

John Wayne,” Padberg said. “You can’t stick your head in the sand and say

it’s not going to happen.”

So what are voters to do?

South County residents back the measure because major land-use issues,

especially an airport at El Toro, may have difficulty receiving 66% of

Orange County’s voter support.

Most Newport-Mesa residents oppose the measure because they want their

South County neighbors to share some of the aviation burden they have

experienced.

One viewpoint is apparent -- residents who live under the airport’s

flight path don’t believe Measure F will prevent an expanded John Wayne.

“It would be nice to work with the South County folks, but they won’t

shoulder any of the airport load,” said Newport Beach Mayor John Noyes.

“We just want them to show some fairness. We think our position is

reasonable.”