The California Forever debate moves underground
… California Forever is determined to try the ballot again in 2026. … At the heart of the debate lies the company’s most compelling argument: its promise to bring more housing to the Bay Area, where developers face significant regulatory hurdles. It’s an offer that taps into a genuine regional need, even as it also poses new problems at the local level. Solano residents, like many Westerners, have reason to be suspicious of wealthy but distant developers who are disconnected from local needs, said Kristina Hill, research director of the Institute of Urban and Regional Development at the University of California, Berkeley. She noted that some locals might be attracted by California Forever’s technological optimism, with its visionary talk of new designs for dense multifamily housing. At the same time, however, the company’s plans could impact the local environment and quality of life; the land it owns includes valuable natural resources, such as vernal pools, the headwaters of streams and fertile soil for grazing or agriculture, which provide other tangible benefits for the community.