For several years now, the California Forever group has been gathering property rights to a large swath of land in unincorporated Solano County. Recently, their efforts have coalesced around a proposal to expand the existing Suisun City municipality eastwards along California Highway 12. Much of the plan is proposed to take place over a 20-year period, and exact details may be subject to change in that time. However, the recently released documents provide a first look into some of the group’s concrete objectives.
Foremost, California Forever is pursuing a collaboration with the Suisun City municipal government to execute its plan. Under the current strategy, this would expand the city’s land area by more than 22,800 acres and increase its population by more than ten times its current number.
Approximately 7,100 acres of the annexed land would be established under a specific area plan, with 6,080 of those acres included in the 20-year initial development period. Early estimations of the land use expect as many as 65,217 new dwelling units to be built in that period, accounting for a population increase of 150,000 residents. The larger ‘Full Buildout’ plan would utilize the remaining 15,700 acres to further expand housing options for up to 400,000 new residents.
Suisun City Expansion Specific Plan, image via California Forever
While the need for new and accessible housing inspired the founding of California Forever, the developers envision a complete community, with parks, businesses, and other spaces for residents or visitors to enjoy. Early estimates include more than 2,000 acres in natural, agricultural, and civil open spaces. Park uses may include arboretums, pedestrian areas, bicycle paths, public playgrounds, plazas, and equestrian trails.
The project’s next step is for the location to be evaluated in a broad Environmental Impact Report. The report, submitted through CEQA, will assess the 22,873-acre annexation area to determine its environmental viability. This will include not only the impact on the natural environment, but also incorporate data that will be used to determine the project’s effect in relation to nearby residents. Since the project’s proposed position is in eastern Solano County, directly south and southeast of Travis Air Force Base, long-term development will have to consider proper land use surrounding the military base.
Besides the environmental considerations, the plan will require more detailed plans for transportation to and from the buildout location. The current site placement is largely isolated from existing transportation infrastructure. While the plans can currently account for internal transportation for residents within the district, more details are necessary to show how it expects to meet California Forever’s stated intention of being well-linked to both the Bay Area and Sacramento.
Suisun City Expansion Placed within Solano County, image via California Forever
Despite the many hurdles remaining on the project, plans have advanced considerably from their starting point. Furthermore, while the project concept is new to California, other similarly motivated developments have succeeded elsewhere in the United States, such as the Rouse Company’s development of Columbia, Maryland. With the Notice of Intent now formally released, advocates of the plan have significant reason for excitement.
Suisun City Expansion Current Site Overview, image via Google Satellite
Subscribe to YIMBY’s daily e-mail
Follow YIMBYgram for real-time photo updates
Like YIMBY on Facebook
Follow YIMBY’s Twitter for the latest in YIMBYnews
Be the first to comment on "Notice of Intent Published for California Forever’s Proposed Suisun City Expansion"