California Forever billionaires drastically scale back Bay Area mega-city plans only to get rejected

California Forever’s billionaire backers have drastically scaled back their grand plans for a new Bay Area metropolis, temporarily shelving their proposed megacity to focus an 11th-hour Sacramento push on fast-tracking a massive shipyard.But the scaled-back plan suffered another setback Tuesday night when Solano County supervisors voted not to support the special legislation after a contentious five-hour meeting.The narrower “Solano Maritime and Manufacturing Act” would accelerate approvals for a proposed 1,350-acre shipyard and maritime manufacturing hub in Solano County, while seeking no special treatment for the sprawling new city that has been the centerpiece of California Forever’s vision.The vote dealt a political blow to the billionaire-backed developer, which has spent months hunting for a legislative lifeline in Sacramento while encountering fierce local resistance and skepticism from two Democratic lawmakers representing the area.During the meeting Tuesday, supervisors heard a gauntlet of speakers slam or support the shipyard proposal as negotiations in Sacramento continue in the frantic final days of the legislative session.Some public speakers sang songs, including a man who pulled stuffed animal weasels out of his vest.Others talked about the need for more jobs.

Jeff Deiss, a Vallejo resident, called the proposal a “sweetheart deal.”“The only thing unique about this is the deep pockets of the people that are promoting it,” Deiss said.Supporters countered that Solano County should seize an opportunity to attract thousands of manufacturing and construction jobs.Selena Perez, a local veteran and Solano County resident, offered supervisors what she called some “millennial wisdom.”“Scared money don’t make money,” Perez said.“Let’s be bold for Solano County.”The still-unauthored bill does not apply to California Forever’s separate proposed megacity or provide special approvals for its development.

The legislation would fast...