Agua Dulce Air Park

When Justine and Doug Turner moved to Agua Dulce 14 years ago, they thought they had found paradise. They could keep their horses on their hilltop property and enjoy panoramic views of the green Sierra Pelona Valley from their backyard patio. Closer in, the Turners enjoyed an unfettered view of Agua Dulce Airpark, a long-abandoned landing strip with a giant red "X" painted on the ground, indicating it was no longer open for business.

Cradled by rolling hills in the north county community whose name it bears, the Agua Dulce Air Park has been controversial for much of its 36 years. Many of Agua Dulce's 2,100 residents consider the site a noise nuisance at the very least. At worst, they say, noting the elementary school a mile away, it is an aviation tragedy waiting to happen.

Temporarily settling a decade-old local debate, the owner of the Agua Dulce Air Park announced Friday he will continue to operate the airstrip rather than sell it for private development. Owner Jim Annin said he will run the air park "as long as it's profitable," surprising longtime observers who believed the facility was destined to shut down. "The only thing we can say is it's not going away," said Annin. "I think the county needs an airport in this area, in case of an emergency."

A proposal for Los Angeles County to buy the tiny Agua Dulce Air Park was grounded Wednesday by the county Public Works Department, settling a decades-long dogfight between pilots and residents near the rustic airport. Heeding the results of an advisory election held in Agua Dulce earlier this month, Public Works Director Harry Stone said the county should scrap efforts to buy the 36-year-old air park.

Tuesday's ballot provides the latest forum for a decades-long dispute over the fate of the Agua Dulce Air Park. Residents, pilots and government officials each have different ideas for the 36-year-old facility, which is up for sale by its private owner. The advisory ballot measure, which is non-binding but provides information for the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, asks residents if they favor a scaled-down, county-operated airport.