HomeMy WebLinkAboutOB 2 AIRPORT STATUS RPT 11-5-90DATE:
TO:
FROM:
NOVEMBER 51 1990
WILLIAM A. HUSTON, CITY MANAGER
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
OLD BUSINESS NO. 2
11-5-90
Inter - Com
SUBJECT: AIRPORT STATUS REPORT: COALITION FOR A RESPONSIBLE
AIRPORT SOLUTION (CRAS)
RECOMMENDATION
Provide direction to staff regarding contribution to CRAS.
DISCUSSION
In October 1989, the City Council authorized a $1,000 contribution
to ORAS to help defray the costs of a lobbying campaign against the
use of MCAS El Toro as a commercial airport. Sally Anne Sheridan,
the Chairman of CRAS, has again requested each member agency to
contribute $1,000 to support the Coalition's work effort against
the commercialization of El Toro. The Orange County Cities Airport
Authority (OCCAA), previously known under the name of Inter County
Airport Authority (ICAA), has undertaken an unsanctioned airport
site selection study with the prime emphasis on the MCAS El Toro
site. The intended use of the requested contributions would be
used to fund a lobbying campaign against the OCCAA efforts to
reconsider El Toro; lobby local officials, mailings to member
agencies and to establish a war chest to fund technical studies if
needed. Initially, all City members of CRAS have been approached
for contributions with a second scheduled contribution campaign
targeted at Homeowners Associations and individuals. Member Cities
have been asked for contributions of $1,000 or more. The Council
should review this request in light of the above information and
provide appropriate direction to staff.
Rita Westfield "Christine A. Shingleton
Assistant Director Director of Community'/Development
Community Development
Attachment: Letter from Coalition for a Responsible Airport
Solution
CAS: RW: nm
October 4, 1990
Mayor Richard Edgar
City of Tustin
300 Centennial Way
Tustin, CA 92680
Dear Mayor Edgar:
In 1988, the Airport Site Coalition (ASC) began its 20 month
study to select a new airport site to serve Orange County. Among
the over 20 alternatives considered by the ASC Consensus Team
were three commercial configurations of Marine Corps Air Station
(MCAS) E1 Toro. The Coalition for a Responsible Airport Solution
(CRAS) was formed to oppose the proposals for commercial use of
the Marine Corps base, whether joint -use proposals or full
commercial use alternatitres. At that time, your City opposed
these proposals enough to contribute $1,000 to help support. the
Coalition's action. Now, CRAS needs your support again. We ask
you to consider contributing another $1,000 to the Coalition's
work effort.
With your previous support, CRAS was largely successful. All
three commercial use alternatives for MCAS E1 Toro were
eliminated by the ASC Consensus Team because of the airports
potential impacts. In the end, the Consensus Team recommended
four alternative sites be recommended to the Board of Supervisors
for further action. In addition, Federal legislation was adopted
which prohibits the Secretary of the Navy from entering into
Joint -use agreements at MCAS E1 Toro.
ORAS had hoped that this would be the end of its mission.
However, now the Orange County Cities Airport Authority (OCCAA)
has announced that it intends to restudy MCAS E1 Toro and
Christianitos Canyon as well as look at the potential of George
Air Force Base. Once again, CRAS is preparing to oppose attempts
to permit comn:ercial flights into E1 Toro and other highly
impacted areas in South Orange County.
But in doing so, CRAS does not want to leave the issue
unresolved; we want to contribute to the identification of a
responsible solution. We have begun to examine other
alternatives. We believe that Orange County could benefit from
alternative tedhnologies in transportation such as the Super
Speed Train. We support and encourage further study of George
Air Force Base. Above all, we believe that all of the cities and
communities of Saddleback Valley and South Orange County must
work cooperatively.
Mayor Edgar
October 4, 1990
Page 2
We hope that in light of CRAS's past success and future role
you will consider giving CRAS your Financial support. If you
have any questions, please feel free to call Sammy Rake,
Associate Planner in the City of Irvine, at (714) 724-6381.
Sincerely,
SALLY ANNE SHERIDAN
Chairman