In recent news, plans for a new city in California, backed by Silicon Valley billionaires and venture capitalists, have been put on hold. The proposed development, known as the California Forever plan, aimed to transform wheat fields northeast of San Francisco Bay into a futuristic city. However, opposition from local elected officials and environmental groups concerned about loss of natural habitat led to the decision to pause the project.
The tech billionaires behind California Forever include LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman and venture capitalist Marc Andreessen. The group had initially planned to take their proposal directly to local voters in Solano County through a ballot measure, bypassing much of the usual development process.
However, after spending over $2 million on the campaign, organizers withdrew their initiative from the November ballot and instead decided to fund a full environmental review of the project. This move marks a significant shift in what had been a relentless push to build the new city in rural Solano County.
The California Forever plan has faced controversy since it was first revealed that the group had spent $900 million on farmland without revealing its plans or identities of backers until they were exposed by The New York Times last year. Additionally, California Forever filed a $500 million antitrust lawsuit against farmers who refused to sell their land, causing fear and mistrust among neighbors.
Despite the pause in the project, supporters argue that there is a pressing need for more affordable housing and good paying jobs in California. The development was expected to generate billions in economic activity and tens of thousands of jobs. However, opponents raise concerns about loss of natural habitat and potential negative impacts on local communities.
The environmental review process is expected to take at least two years, during which time the company will work with Solano County on a development agreement. The decision to delay the vote was described by Mitch Mashburn, chair of the Solano County Board of Supervisors, as an opportunity for everyone to be heard and get all the information they need before voting on a General Plan change of this size.
