IRVINE

The city advanced its cause against the proposed El Toro airport, voting to make good on its threat to sue the Orange County Airport Land Use Commission. Irvine City Council members also called upon U.S. presidential candidates to support them in their anti-airport fight. The council announced Tuesday it will take the commission to court over its refusal to lift land-use restrictions around the former El Toro Marine Corps Air Station. City officials want to open the area surrounding the former base to homes, schools and child care centers. Such uses have been restricted for years due to crash hazards, noise restrictions and other limitations related to the operation of a military base. Development near the former base could become a roadblock to the county’s plans for an international airport at El Toro, since state noise laws could restrict or even eliminate future flights over residential areas, council members said.