Council adopts county habitat‑fee schedule and directs RFP for Silver Lake Family Camp operator

The Stockton City Council on Dec. 9 adopted a resolution approving the San Joaquin Council of Governments’ 2026 multi‑species habitat conservation and open‑space development fee schedule and later directed staff to issue a formal request for proposals for the Silver Lake Family Camp.

At the public hearing, a COG representative explained the plan’s voluntary mitigation options for developers, the fee zones near Stockton and the use of fees for land acquisition, restoration and monitoring. Council members asked whether developers could provide land in lieu of fees; the COG representative said land‑in‑lieu and fee combinations are possible and most purchased habitat is outside city limits. The council adopted the fee schedule effective Jan. 1, 2026 (7–0).

On the Silver Lake Family Camp — a city‑operated facility on U.S. Forest Service land that has been closed since 2022 — staff summarized three options from a 2024 facilities assessment (capital renewal ≈ $5.8M; full replacement ≈ $22M; remove facilities ≈ $2M). A November RFI produced one formal response from a local contractor (Oneto Tree Service) familiar with U.S. Forest Service special‑use permits. Council directed staff to proceed with a formal RFP to solicit operators or redevelopment proposals so the property’s future can be evaluated (7–0).

City staff said the Silver Lake figures are 2024 estimates that will be updated; any operator arrangement would require coordination with the U.S. Forest Service and a new or reassigned special‑use permit.