Critical question in development OK in MCAS' view

A proposed general plan change for a new planned community south of of the Marine Corps Air Station is stirring concerns that it could encroach on the military base and threaten its existence - which would be a huge economic blow to Yuma.

The planned community development, to be known as Estancia, was announced early this  year and could eventually have a population of some 50,000 people and occupy nearly 4,000 acres, but it is not expected work would even start on it for many years, according to project leaders.

For now, the group of south mesa property owners who have joined to create the planned development have been focused on getting the area annexed into the city of Yuma (something that has been accomplished) and getting the land use designation changed from agriculture to mixed designations for residential and commercial uses.

It is the change in land use for the development that is raising concerns. The fear among some is that the result could be what has happened to Luke Air Force Base in the Phoenix area, where encroachment by communities and residents' complaints about noise have endangered the ability of the base to continue to operate.

The Yuma City Planning and Zoning Commission may share this concern, as it voted in October to unanimously reject the land use changes for Estancia, even though Marine officials and other major stakeholders made no objections to the development.

In fact, base officials specifically told the planning body that they saw no danger to the base from the project. And the Estancia backers have promised to protect the interests of the base. Strangely, despite these assurances, the planners still rejected the project.

It is now before the Yuma City Council for a final decision. A public hearing has been set Wednesday when the council considers the general plan change.

The commander of MCAS, Col. Mark A. Werth, has been invited to participate and offer his views about Estancia and what impact it might have on the base. We hope he or his representatives do participate, as their views are really the critical factor in the decision-making process.

Anytime there is development near the base or its bombing ranges, the encroachment issue is a legitimate question that needs to be answered. So it is important that the city council resolve that question.

However, if base officials see no encroachment issue with the project, we don't see why the property owners would be prevented from exercising their inherent property rights, especially since this is just the first step in what would be a long series of later approval stages.