2.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Project Description

The proposed project is annexation by the City of Irvine of approximately 4,315 acres of the former MCAS El Toro site (PA 51), the 105-acre James A. Musick Jail Facility and the eight-acre IRWD parcel and the adoption of General Plan Amendment 39399-GA and Zone Change 39400-ZC to allow implementation of a non-aviation land use plan on the entire 4,738 acre former MCAS El Toro site.  The Musick Jail Facility and IRWD sites are included in the annexation proceedings to avoid creating a “county island.”

The City has a strong vested interest in the conversion of the former MCAS El Toro site from military use to civilian use because 4,315 acres of MCAS El Toro are within the Sphere of Influence of the City of Irvine and 423 acres are within the City’s boundaries.  The City of Irvine has been a strong proponent of non-aviation reuse for MCAS El Toro.  The City’s first General Plan in 1973 called for multi-use (non-aviation) development compatible with the City’s and surrounding development patterns after base closure of MCAS El Toro.  Therefore, the City of Irvine has initiated annexation proceedings and proposed a General Plan Amendment and Zone Change, implementing the non-aviation uses for the former MCAS El Toro.

The City’s General Plan Amendment (GPA) 39399-GA and Zone Change (ZC) 39400-ZC covers the entire former MCAS El Toro site (PAs 51 and 30) of approximately 4,738 acres. Annexation No. 17 covers approximately 4,428 acres (the former MCAS El Toro (PA 51) – 4,315 acres, Musick Jail Facility – 105 acres, and IRWD parcel – eight acres ) because 423 acres of the former MCAS El Toro already are within the City limits.  The land uses envisioned by the proposed project were designed to provide a landmark community with economic vitality that enhances the quality of life.  Maximum development would be approximately 15,773,000 million square feet on 4,738 acres of land. Approximately 3,261 dwelling units would also be allowed. The former MCAS El Toro site would be transformed into a highly complex urban center emphasizing high-technology industries.  Innovative community planning and design principles were used to develop a high-quality working and living environment.  The community provides an array of opportunities for working, living, shopping, entertainment, recreation, cultural enrichment, and enjoyment of parks and open space. Over 50% of the site would be in open space for both recreation and preservation purposes.

Total development of the site is expected to occur over a 20-year period. Incremental development could begin immediately upon release of the first property by the federal government. Development phasing will be linked to the sequence of property availability and development, the capacities of both existing and the anticipated expansion of roadways and utilities, implementation of the Base Cleanup Plan, and removal of the runways.

Project Location

 The proposed project area is located in the central portion of the County of Orange. A portion of the former MCAS El Toro property is in the city limits of the City of Irvine (PA 30). The remaining portion is in the unincorporated territory of the County (PA 51). The Musick Jail Facility and the IRWD parcel are also located in unincorporated County territory (PA 35).

The City of Lake Forest bounds the former MCAS El Toro on the south and southeast, the City of Irvine on the west and southwest, and the County of Orange on the north. The former MCAS El Toro is generally located north of the Santa Ana (I-5) Freeway, east of the Eastern Transportation Corridor (SR-133), and south of the Foothill Transportation Corridor (SR-241).  Major roadways bordering the project area include Barranca Parkway to the south, Sand Canyon Avenue to the west, Portola Parkway and Irvine Boulevard to the north, and Alton Parkway to the east. The Musick Jail Facility is located on a 105-acre site northwest of existing Bake Parkway and easterly of the future extension of Alton Parkway. The northern boundary of the Jail Facility abuts MCAS El Toro. The eight-acre IRWD parcel is northwest of the Jail Facility.

Environmental Impacts

The City of Irvine has determined that an EIR is required pursuant to the CEQA Guidelines.  The environmental issue areas identified for study in the EIR are land use, traffic/circulation, air quality, noise, public health and safety, geology and seismicity, hydrology and water quality, agricultural resources, biological resources, paleontological resources, cultural resources, aesthetics, population/housing, public services and facilities, utilities, cumulative impacts, growth-inducing impacts, and significant irreversible environmental changes.  Table 2-1 presents a summary of the environmental impacts of the proposed project, mitigation measures to reduce potential significant impacts for the proposed project, and the level of significance of each impact after mitigation.  Significant unavoidable project-level impacts have been identified for land use, air quality, agricultural resources, and population/housing.  Cumulative unavoidable impacts have been identified for air quality, agricultural resources, and population/housing.

Potential Areas of Controversy

The primary area of controversy and issue to be resolved is a non-aviation versus aviation use for the reuse of the former MCAS El Toro after the base was closed in July 1999. The site is both in the City limits or within its sphere of influence. The City of Irvine has always been a strong proponent of non-aviation reuse for MCAS El Toro.  The City’s first General Plan in 1973 called for multi-use (non-aviation) development compatible with the City’s and surrounding development patterns after base closure of MCAS El Toro.

This EIR addresses the environmental impacts of annexation and implementation of a non-aviation land use plan at the former MCAS El Toro (PAs 51 and 30) at a program level of analysis. This EIR includes discussion of an airport alternative in Section 6, Alternatives. The information regarding the airport alternative is based on the County’s Final Environmental Impact Report No. 563 (FEIR 563) , the Draft Supplemental Analysis for FEIR 563, and the Notice of Preparation (NOP) for the MCAS El Toro Master Development Plan (EIR 573) as referenced.

 This EIR does not address non-CEQA related issues such as opposition to an airport, development and operational costs associated with an airport, the potential effects of an airport on property values, the need for an airport, runway configurations, flight paths, etc. The County of Orange is proceeding with plans for a commercial airport at the former MCAS El Toro site. The County’s planning process addresses the environmental impacts associated with a commercial airport at MCAS El Toro.

Alternatives to the Proposed Project
 
The alternatives evaluation during the analysis of the proposed project include:

· No Project
· Reduced Intensity
· Jobs/Housing Balance
· Aviation Reuse

Website posted Jnaury 7, 2000

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