Supervisors open to all El Toro options

Sue Doyle

SANTA ANA -- Although the county’s decision on whether to build an

airport at the former El Toro Marine Corps air station was not decided

Thursday, something unusual happened with the Board of Supervisors.

They actually agreed on something.

In a rare move, the board unanimously voted to start a process that would

bring both sides of the airport issue to the table.

The supervisors want to take a deeper look into all issues proposed for

the 4,700-acre El Toro site, from an international airport to the

Millennium Plan to short-term housing. They also agreed to continue with

a planning process that considers both Measure A and Measure F.

“Are we going to threaten to sue each other? Or are we going to take the

opportunity to elevate this issue?” asked Supervisor Todd Spitzer.

They directed staff to compile action plans on all proposals for El Toro

-- both airport plans and non-aviation plans. The in-depth studies will

include everything from money to timelines to man hours for each

proposal.

The board unanimously voted to spend $25,000 of the general fund to

explore all alternatives.

The staff will return the studies by June 6, when the board will hold its

2000-01 budget hearings. The board will then decide which studies to

consider.

Although the board sits at odds on the airport issue, they agreed that

they could not ignore the 120 people who passionately testified about El

Toro on Tuesday during a public hearing.

Aside from an in-depth review of both sides, the board agreed to focus on

El Toro’s master lease. It must be considered by May 31 or the Navy will

drop the issue and shut it down June 1, said board chairman Charles V.

Smith.

“The Navy is not convinced the board is serious about a master lease,”

Smith said.

The supervisors must also decide by the end of the month the futures of a

child center and horse stables currently at El Toro.

The board will meet May 23 to discuss the master lease.