County Suit Claims Irvine Plans Impede Airport Project

SANTA ANA — Orange County has filed a lawsuit against Irvine, charging that city plans for a 440-acre piece of the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station conflict with countyplans to build a commercial airport at the base.

The Irvine City Council, which opposes an airport at El Toro, last month adopted plans to rezone and develop the property contained within city boundaries to possibly include a multiuse sports and entertainment center, a university, or other options.

The Orange County Board of Supervisors is expected to take ownership of the 4,700-acre base when it is abandoned by the military in mid-1999 and has already approved plans to redevelop the entire base.

County Counsel Laurence Watson said Tuesday the suit asks a judge to set aside the city’s rezoning decision. The county maintains the rezoning did not comply with state environmental guidelines.

“It could have an effect on the ultimate plans the county has for that property,” Watson said. “We’re just trying to maintain and keep our planning options open.”

Irvine City Attorney Joel Kuperberg said he had not yet reviewed the lawsuit and declined to discuss it.

The suit was filed in Orange County Supervisor Court on Friday, one day after the city of Irvine and seven other South County cities filed suit to block airport plans.