Q&A - OC Central Park and Nature Preserve Initiative
March 5, 2002
 

Q.  Why is this El Toro initiative necessary?

  1. Because, when passed, it will remove Measure A from the County's "General Plan" for El Toro. Measure A designates that the former base must be used for an airport. The new initiative will change the General Plan zoning designation from aviation to a mix of park, recreational, educational and nature-preserve uses.
Q.  When the initiative passes, what happens to the Great Park idea for El Toro?
  1. The Great Park concept is consistent with the non-aviation uses called for in this initiative. The County will be required to conform to the new General Plan and this will guarantee that County politicians can no longer evade the will of the people and build an airport.
Q.  Who will pay for this park development?
  1. The initiative clearly states, "No New Taxes. This Initiative does not raise taxes." Taxes are not needed to develop non-aviation uses at the base. Funds will come from leasing out the existing houses and other buildings, user fees, philanthropic grants, private development of public–use facilities, and California and federal bonds. In addition, agriculture and recreation properties will operate under short-term leases to assure options for future generations.
Q.  When will the park be built?
  1. The land will be preserved for our children and grandchildren's generations. It will be developed gradually over 20 years or more, as funds become available.
Q. What is Irvine's role in this plan?
  1. The federal government is scheduled to convey the former base, at no cost, to Orange County. Under California regulations, El Toro is in Irvine's "sphere of influence" and this means that it is intended to be annexed by Irvine at some future date. Eventual annexation will doubly-assure that the property sees only non-aviation uses.
Q. Can this initiative be ruled unconstitutional?
  1. Anything can happen in court, which is why the first judge's decision against Measure F is being appealed. The judge, who ruled against Measure F, stated that he thought the best way to stop an airport is with an initiative like this one, to overturn Measure A and replace it with a new plan.
Q. What will we do to satisfy future aviation demand if we don't use El Toro?
A.  Orange County's population will grow by only 14% in the next 20 years. John Wayne    airport, and others such as Ontario and March, can easily handle this demand without substantial expenditures.  Building a huge LAX-South in Orange County will only lead to millions of air travelers driving here from the main regional growth areas in Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

Click here for the County Counsel's Title and Summary of the initiative.

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