Another Solano County City Wants to Annex Some of California Forever’s Land

Suisun City will formally start talks with surrounding landowners — including California Forever — as it explores whether to expand its borders, following a similar move from Rio Vista earlier this month.

The Suisun City Council voted 4–1 on Tuesday to direct the city manager to issue letters to almost 30 neighboring landowners, whose approval the city will need to proceed with annexation. Councilmember Princess Washington, a vocal critic of California Forever, cast the only dissenting vote.

“There are hard decisions that are going to come ahead, but we need to be open-minded, listening to all the perspectives from those members,” Mayor Alma Hernandez said. “We are requesting members of the community to stay engaged with us in this process.”

City leaders hope annexation could help bolster the city’s declining revenues. However, opponents worry that the move would allow the billionaire-backed company to build its planned city of up to 400,000 new residents without first getting approval from county voters.

“California Forever proposes the ninth largest city in California in our county, and the supposition is that you are empowering them to do that,” resident Jim DeKloe said during Tuesday’s meeting. “We have this principle that unincorporated county [land] will not be urban. They are trying to throw a bomb in that, and you are enabling them.”

Solano County’s Orderly Growth Initiative requires voters to sign off before California Forever can move forward with building on what is now agricultural land. However, that requirement could change if its development is incorporated into an existing city.

Solano residents were scheduled to vote on the plan in November, but the company pulled its initiative from the ballot months before the election. Its leaders have since vowed to publish an environmental impact report and development agreement before bringing the proposal back to voters next year.

Earlier this month, Rio Vista joined Suisun City in exploring whether to annex some of California Forever’s land. With roughly 60,000 acres sandwiched between the two cities, California Forever — through its subsidiary, Flannery Associates — is the county’s largest landholder.

But while Rio Vista Mayor Edwin Okamura said the council’s decision was “all about just getting to the table” to potentially negotiate with the company and protect the city’s quaint character, Suisun City leaders hope annexation might help secure the city’s financial future.

According to City Manager Bret Prebula, it had to use 40% of its reserves last year to avoid cuts to essential services.

That year, voters approved Measure S, a 1.75% sales tax, which is set to go into effect next month. But, even with the additional revenue, Suisun City is still facing a more than $2 million shortfall in its general fund this year.

To help generate income for the city, the council earlier this month approved an economic development plan that focuses on residential and commercial development within its existing boundaries.

At just over 4 square miles, Prebula said, even if the city built more infill housing and retail spaces, those buildings could only be built so tall.

“There is no more optionality for us,” he said. “We are absolutely going to do infill at the highest, best and most fast way we can, but that will not be sustainable for decades, so we need to explore expanding our borders.”

At the meeting, some residents welcomed the idea and wondered if the move could improve the city’s access to jobs and housing.

“Everybody is saying not to do this — what are we afraid of? Making money in our own town, bringing revenue into our city?” asked Mitchell Megary, a lifelong resident of Suisun City. “I wish I could work somewhere and go home 20 minutes away, but I can’t do that because it’s so expensive.”