Irvine Officials Drop Boycott of El Toro Reuse Panel

IRVINE — City officials Wednesday ended their boycott of an advisory panel they have accused of a pro-airport bias in reviewing the proposal to turn El Toro Marine Corps Air Station into a commercial airport.

Councilman Barry Hammond said officials in Irvine have long refused to join the El Toro Citizens Advisory Commission but now want a delegate on the panel despite continued misgivings.

“I still believe the whole process is skewed and is an unfair one, but we have a war going on [over the airport] and this is one of the fronts that we have left untouched,” Hammond said. “In my opinion, it’s time to make that committee more accountable and I want to do that.”

A 5th Supervisorial District opening on the 13-member commission will be filled tonight in a vote by Orange County mayors. The panel is made up of local elected officials and business, aviation and community interests.

Hammond and Newport Beach Councilman Thomas C. Edwards, who is an airport supporter, were both vying for an appointment to the commission, but Edwards said Wednesday that he intends to step aside so Hammond can fill the post.

“I’ve always felt that Irvine should be involved in the process,” said Edwards, who said he applied for the seat when he believed no one else had done so.

Commission Chairman Gary Proctor said he was pleased to hear that Irvine wants a place on the commission, but said he hopes Hammond will be open-minded on the airport issue.

“I hope he comes in with an attitude about how to solve some of the problems, and not just be a bomb thrower,” Proctor said.

The future role of the commission remains unclear.

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The commission was created by Measure A, the initiative approved by voters in November 1994 calling for an airport at El Toro. It has devoted itself largely to studying the project environmental impact report.

Hammond and other airport opponents believe the report downplays the impact an airport would have on noise, traffic, pollution and home values.

A commission majority voted in November to endorse the controversial report, which portrays an airport as the best reuse for the 4,700-acre base. The commission also recommended that the Orange County Board of Supervisors proceed with airport plans, and the supervisors voted in December to do so.

County Chief Executive Officer Jan Mittermeier is mapping out the second phase of planning for the retiring military base, and also the future job of the citizens advisory panel.

“The [commission] will continue to exist,” said Assistant Chief Executive Officer Courtney Wiercioch. “But we can’t say at this time how or if their role will change in the future.”