Rio Vista Fires Back at California Forever Over Data Center Zoning Loophole

The Rio Vista City Council used its May 5 meeting to draw a sharp public line against California Forever, unanimously backing a press release that warns the Suisun Expansion Specific Plan could green-light the nation's largest data center project — despite being marketed as a housing and commercial development. The council also moved on four infrastructure and governance resolutions, investing in aging storm drains, Delta flood planning, emergency radio upgrades, and an outside investigations contract, all passing 4-0 with Mayor Edwin Okamura absent.

• Council backs press release warning Suisun Expansion Plan allows data centers by right in nearly every zone, with all four members present pushing back on California Forever's claim the city manager "went rogue"

• $200,000 approved for first-ever CCTV inspection of Rio Vista's aging storm drains after multiple emergency failures last winter

• No-cost land lease clears the way for a $2.5 million county radio tower upgrading police and fire emergency communications

• $200,000 state reimbursement deal secured for city staff participation in the Little Egbert Delta flood planning project

• Downtown merchants get relief as council backs a future ordinance cutting street closure sign posting from 72 hours to 24 hours ahead of summer event season

Why it matters: Rio Vista is the nearest city to the proposed Suisun Expansion Specific Plan and stands to absorb traffic, water, and environmental impacts. The city's formal opposition puts on the record that the plan — despite California Forever's housing pitch — permits data centers by right in nearly every zoning district.