Residents urge council to oppose rushed state zoning changes tied to California Forever

Rio Vista residents warned the City Council that a proposed state-level measure being discussed in Sacramento could strip local control over land-use decisions and open thousands of acres around the Suisun Marsh to industrial rezoning.

The comments came during an extended public-comment period on the council’s Sept. 2 meeting. Sarah Sorokin, identifying herself as a Rio Vista resident, said she had “learned of new state legislation to be introduced urgently before the end of session” by Assemblymember Lori Wilson that she said would allow the state to impose zoning changes without local vote or county process. "This is scary legislation because state imposed zoning of land the voters have protected with our orderly growth initiative would be rezoned without any public process or control," Sorokin said.

Other residents raised related concerns. Albert Medvitz accused the project’s backers of a long record of opaque land purchases and litigation tactics that undermined local farmers and local planning, and urged the council to oppose any effort that would “overturn our local authority.” Bill Mortimore urged federal investment for upgrading existing infrastructure at Mare Island rather than building new shipyard infrastructure in Collinsville.

Mayor Okamura said he had written a letter of support as an individual and would publish that letter so the public could read it. "This my letter, which I will publish so everyone will see it," the mayor said, noting that the letter was his personal exercise of free speech and not a formal council position. The mayor also told the council he had shared a reimbursement-agreement draft with California Forever and expected further negotiation before any agreement came back to the council for approval.

City staff and several council members stressed process limits: multiple speakers reminded the public that land-use authority for unincorporated Collinsville rests with the Solano County Board of Supervisors, not the Rio Vista council. Residents, however, said that is precisely why they wanted clear, timely communication from their city: they asked the council to publicly disclose meetings and the text of any reimbursement or negotiation documents so constituents could judge whether local interests were being protected.

The city manager said staff had provided a reimbursement-agreement draft to California Forever and had not yet received a response. Council members directed staff to continue negotiations but repeatedly acknowledged that any final agreement would come before the public for deliberation and a vote.

The item was presented as an informational update; no ordinance or binding council action on the proposed state legislation or land rezoning was taken during the meeting. Residents said they would continue to press the council and the county to preserve local control and transparent review.