Beginnings of GVLA
About 71 years ago (in 1949), the Green Valley Country Club was chartered and the golf course was developed with a few surrounding homes. Around 1957, the peach and cherry orchard of the Marvyo Ranch, the area we now call "The Estates" was transformed with streets, utilities, and home sites. In 1958, Jim and Audrey Heffner moved into one of the first new homes.
About the same time, the City of Fairfield was making big plans for Green Valley and in 1962 wanted to expand the sewer lines into the area. The local residents rebelled. They were certain that new sewer lines would guarantee massive development and irreversible loss of open space and the rural valley character. Audrey Heffner and some of her friends, including Gloria McManigal, Barbara Lane, and others, would form a neighborhood association whose purpose was to represent and benefit Green Valley landowners through collective action. The newly organized Green Valley Landowners Association (GVLA) was launched and successfully defeated the sewer expansion plan.
In the late 1960's the City of Fairfield extended its boundary into the North Cordelia area by "cherry-stem" annexation - following the railroad tracks to land west and north of Interstate 680. The City implemented an "urban renewal" program to acquire farm lands between the south end of Green Valley and Interstate 80. These supposedly blighted farms were now under city ownership. They were rezoned and today encompass the Costco site, the shopping center, the office building, library, and residential lots built out to the City Limit line. Sewer and water main lines were extended north to the City Limit with reserve capacity to serve several thousand new residences in Middle Green Valley (MGV,) if needed.
GVLA was concerned about urban sprawl and rose to the challenge. Members contributed money in order to incorporate as a nonprofit (1972) and sued the City, the County, LAFCO, and 24 developers and land owners. The suit was "settled" in 1974 with major concessions to GVLA, including: the landscaped Green Valley Road corridor north to the city limits, up-scale design standards, refund of legal fees, two seats for GVLA representatives on the City of Fairfield North Cordelia Overlay District Planning Commission, and mandated undeveloped open space and agricultural areas. Plus, a restriction of no more than 500 new houses in MGV. Around 1989 a preliminary study was made for two golf courses and 500 homes, but this did not progress. Ongoing disagreements between the owners of large land holdings and between MGV land owners and GVLA ensued. The Settlement Agreement expired about 2004 and valley residents faced a potential development onslaught.
In 2007, as part of the Solano County General Plan Update, 25 meetings were held and resulted in 2000 acres of MGV being designated as a "Special Study Area." GVLA became a major participant on the subsequent Citizen's Advisory Committee; defining objectives and guidelines and working with the planning consultants and MGV land owners. This was a time-consuming but extraordinary planning process which amicably resolved forty years of hard feelings. The resultant "Middle Green Valley Specific Plan" creates a small village of about 400 homes around a town center, surrounded by 1500 acres of agriculture and open space.
Rockville Trails Preserve – now: Patwino Worrtla Kodoi Dihi Open Space Park
At the northeast corner of Green Valley, another residential development also was in planning stages in the mid-1970s. The White Wing development project was to include about 750 homes, three 9-hole golf courses, an upscale clubhouse and restaurant, and a 12-room Inn. Green Valley residents objected to the development for many years. In 1992 a comprehensive draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was circulated by the county. A major problem was lack of a water source for such a large subdivision and the concern adjacent wells might be adversely affected. Technical studies continued over the next 10 years.
In the mid-2000's, a smaller residential development was reborn with a new name: Rockville Estates. The County Board of Supervisors approved the EIR and the development project in 2005, setting the stage for development. In concert with the Sierra Club, GVLA initiated a lawsuit against the Solano County and the developer on the grounds the EIR was incomplete and inaccurate. By 2008 the national recession as well as the lawsuit placed the proposed development in economic jeopardy.
At that point, GVLA leadership initiated and tirelessly led negotiations with the developer's representative for sale of the land. We were successfully and partnered with the Solano Land Trust (SLT).
SLT obtained grants, donations, and a loan to buy the 1500-acre property for $13.5 million; a transaction that was completed in 2012. GVLA members were significant private donors for this effort. Today, SLT is completing the build out of the new park - Patwino Worrtla Kodoi Dihi Open Space Park – which is expected to open in late 2021.
Lakes Water system
The Lakes Water System (LWS) is the water system, owned by the City of Vallejo, which provides potable water to approximately 800 customers in Green Valley and surrounding rural areas. While the system was originally built in the 1880s to serve Vallejo, Green Valley and the surrounding area. However, in 1992 Vallejo separated the system into a separate “district” and transferred all operating and maintenance costs to the LWS 810 customers.
In 2013, after decades of discussions and informal negotiations about high water costs and deferred maintenance, GVLA instituted a class-action lawsuit against the City of Vallejo on behalf of LWS users to redress grievances and to delay a potential sale of the system by Vallejo. The case went as far as the California Supreme Court, but was denied for technical legal issues. While the denial ended GVLA’s legal efforts, it did not end the search for a rational regional solution; in fact, it helped by heightening awareness of the issue across local and county agencies.
GVLA believes LWS customers are entitled clean and affordable water. Our goal is a rational, long-term solution for acceptable water quality, well maintained pumps and pipes, and reasonably priced delivery costs.
GLVA continues to participate in discussions with Solano County, Solano Irrigation District (SID), the City of Fairfield and the City of Vallejo to identify solutions for the LWS challenges. In 2019, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the City of Vallejo and Solano County, allowing these agencies to undertake an in-depth assessment of regional water solutions and create options for future improvements.
GVLA Today and Tomorrow
Today, GVLA continues its efforts to preserve the jewel that is Green Valley and address community-wide issues of importance.
Approximately 32 years ago an open space tax program known as the Green Valley Open Space Maintenance District (GVOSMD) Fund was approved by Green Valley voters and today the Board of Supervisors partners with GVLA in approving how these tax monies are utilized. Currently a portion of the funds are being used by the Solano Land Trust for an endowment for the Patwino Worrtla Kodoi Dihi Open Space Park. We continue to partner with SLT to open this amenity as quickly as possible.
We remain engaged with the owners and developers of the Middle Green Valley Specific Plan to assure an inviting “village” in the middle of the valley, surrounded by open space and agricultural land that will be preserved in perpetuity.
We also are continuing our work with the staffs and leadership of City of Vallejo Water Department and Solano County to “engineer” a long-term solution for the Lakes Water System (LWS) and its customers.
Finally, we are involved in the process of securing the viability of the Cordelia Fire Protection District in our area. While an ultimate “solution” may involve a larger county-wide area, we are using our voice to lobby for and preserve the responsive fire and emergency medical services expected by Green Valley residents.
GVLA continues to work with and within the community to further our mission of preserving and enhancing the rural character of Green Valley. Drawing upon exceptional volunteer expertise and generous community spirit, GVLA is your advocate for preserving the community ambiance and rural character of Green Valley for today’s residents and future generations.