Solano County Addresses Billionaires’ Plan for New 'Mega-City'

Solano County is speaking out against a group of tech billionaires who are trying to build a "mega-city" near Travis Air Force Base.

Flannery Associates LLC and its subsidiary California Forever have purchased over $800 million in Solano County real estate since 2018. The acquisitions – often made above asking price – total 52,000 acres and make Flannery the largest single landowner in Solano County.  

County administrator Bill Emlin issued a statement last Wednesday after more information about the group and its plans came to light (see the newly-released renderings here). 

“The voter-approved general plan and Orderly Growth Ordinance allows only for agricultural uses on the majority of land California Forever has acquired,” Emlin said in a press release.  

According to the release, Solano County informed Flannery back in 2018 that the land was limited to agricultural use. Flannery hopes to get the land rezoned through voters.

In its press release, Solano also raised transparency concerns which have been expressed by other local and federal officials.

"It is important to note that Solano County has yet to fully confirm information presented in the media and through California Forever’s website, as company officials have not submitted any project information or proposals to county staff at this time," the county said. "We will continue to keep the community informed as new information becomes available. It is the County’s hope to have frank discussions with California Forever regarding Solano County’s long-standing land use policies and their expressed vision.”