OCEANSIDE – After years of indecision about the future of Oceanside Municipal Airport, the City Council has approved a 50-year lease with a private operator.

The council voted 4-1 last night to award the lease to Airport Property Ventures of Los Angeles to take over operations of the city's 50-acre airfield in the San Luis Rey Valley, two miles east of Interstate 5.

Lydia Kennard, one of the principals with the company, said after the meeting that the company is eager to start improving the airport.

State and federal aviation agencies must still approve the lease. That should take no more than three months, said Gary Gurley, city general services manager. The company will then replace city employees who now run the field.

Kennard said the company will first place hangars on the south side of the field. A new terminal and restaurant also are planned.

Gurley told the council that he expects that development on the south side near state Route 76, to be completed in a year or two.

There are legal complications involving 14½ acres on the north side of the runway, so its development might take six to seven years, Gurley said. A company that previously owned the land has said it has the right to take back the property.

Airport Property Ventures is expected to pay the city's debt on a $744,000 state loan and to pay a base rent plus 40 percent of all net annual income to the city. The base rent for the first year is $9,000 a month.

Over 25 years, the city expects $11.3 million in income from the airport.

Councilwoman Esther Sanchez cast the dissenting vote. She said she wanted a public workshop on the lease proposal where people could comment on the contract's terms.

“You're talking a huge investment,” Sanchez said.

Gurley said he has been working on plans for the airport since 1995.

In the meantime, the council, depending upon which members make up the majority, has vacillated between strong support of the airport and possibly closing it.

---

Lola Sherman: (760) 476-8241; lola.sherman@uniontrib.com