SANTA ANA- Prior to tomorrow’s regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Supervisors, Chuck Smith withdrew his El Toro Reuse Ordinance, designed to insure that Orange County voters have the final say in the redevelopment of the former Marine Corps base. Smith cited lack of support and Board leadership among the reasons the ordinance will not be placed before the voters for their approval.

"Suddenly, some members of this Board are selective about what they want the voters to ratify" stated Smith. He brought the reuse ordinance forward in response to the City of Irvine’s latest development plans for El Toro, the so-called great "metropolitan" park, which was unveiled last week. Smith wants the voters to ultimately decide if this new mixed use, commercial, industrial and residential development should move forward.

The reuse ordinance, if approved by the voters, would have required the City of Irvine to submit its El Toro redevelopment plan(s) to the voters for approval prior to annexing the base before the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO), the state body responsible for approving annexations.

The City of Irvine significantly altered the voter-approved Measure W "Great Park" plan once it was unearthed as economically infeasible. "The voters were painted a patently false picture of the types of ‘jewels’ that would adorn the El Toro park," said Smith.