2001-10-15 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

WORK STUDY SESSIONS WS.A. EL TORO REUSE PLANNING Meg Waters, spokesperson and Tom O'Malley, Deputy Executive Director for the El Toro Reuse Planning Authority gave the presentation on the reuse of the El Toro Marine Base. Ms. Waters noted that the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) released a report entitled "Airspace Determination: Proposed Civil Aviation Reuse of Marine Corps Air Station El Toro Orange County" on October 9, 2001. She noted that the report does not give the thumbs up or down on the proposed El Toro airport. Ms. Waters summarized the FAA report as follows: • An airport at El Toro can operate safely, however there will be no margin for error in the airspace • Ontario flight paths were not considered • Whereas the County's draft EIR assumes that Runway 25 would not be used for takeoffs from El Toro, the FAA report makes clear that the use of Runway 25 for takeoffs is in fact reasonably foreseeable and will inevitably occur • The report cites an FAA order that "under ideal conditions aircraft takeoffs and landings should be conducted into the wind". • The report confirms that departures on Runway 25 would be consistent with surrounding airport traffic flows in the Southern California basin • The report also confirms that the ultimate decision whether to accept an assigned approach or departure procedure is the responsibility of the pilot in command • Departures from El Toro may result in aircraft being held on the ground for up to one hour before being cleared for departure. Mr. O'Malley noted that the Marines were good neighbors and didn't fly every night. He further noted that there is a large difference between a commercial plane and a fighter jet, and that airlines may have to reduce payloads to fly safely. He further reported that the County has chosen preferential runways to mitigate noise, however because of the findings in the FAA report, northern and central areas of the County such as Santa Ana, will be impacted. Westerly departures will necessitate flying over Santa Ana, and because of requirements for new airports there will not be the ability for curfews as is the case at John Wayne Airport. Following the presentation, Councilmembers thanked the presenters for their report. Councilmember Solorio stated that the City needed the assistance of the El Toro Reuse and Planning Authority in continuing the curfew at John Wayne airport. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 383 OCTOBER 15, 2001