In a recent development, plans for a start-up city backed by Silicon Valley investors have been put on hold. The project, known as the East Solano Plan, aimed to build a walkable urban community on farmland in Solano County, approximately 60 miles from San Francisco. However, the company leading the development, California Forever, announced a delay of at least two years to study the project's environmental impact.

The East Solano Plan was proposed as a solution to California's housing shortage, with the intention of constructing a city with a population of up to 400,000 people. The plan, created by former Goldman Sachs trader Jan Sramek, emphasized the need for more housing in the state in a shorter timeframe.

However, the proposal faced opposition and created tension among the area's residents. California Forever purchased around $900 million worth of farmland over the years, while keeping the identity of its backers and the development plans a secret. The lack of transparency triggered fear and mistrust among neighbors, who made efforts to uncover the company's identity until The New York Times revealed it last year.

The delay was announced as part of a joint agreement between California Forever and a member of the Solano County Board of Supervisors. Consequently, the ballot initiative, which the company had intended to present to Solano County voters this year, will not be included on the November ballot as initially planned. Instead, California Forever will dedicate the remainder of this year and the next to prepare an environmental impact report and negotiate a development agreement with the county.

In recent years, California's legislature and cities have implemented numerous laws to streamline the process of new housing development and make it more affordable. However, most of these efforts have focused on increasing density in existing cities and neighborhoods. Mr. Sramek's East Solano Plan offered a different approach, aiming to create a city with city-like neighborhoods, row homes, bike lanes, and nearby retail, enabling residents to walk to grocery stores.

While Mr. Sramek expressed support for the state's ongoing efforts to build housing in urban cores, he believed they were progressing too slowly. Consequently, he advocated for reconsidering the aversion to edge-city developments, where a significant amount of housing can be constructed at once, despite being criticized as sprawl.

The decision to delay the East Solano Plan in order to conduct an environmental study and negotiate with the county reflects a comprehensive approach by California Forever. It indicates a commitment to address concerns surrounding the project's impact on the environment and collaborate with local authorities. As the development unfolds, it remains to be seen how this delay will shape the future of Silicon Valley's ambitious plans for a new city in Solano County.