Vasquez comments on proposed truck stop

Solano County Supervisor John Vasquez addressed constituent concerns about a proposed travel center in his district on Friday, days after a letter to the Board of Supervisors questioning his level of service to constituents was released publicly. Vasquez announced a stomach cancer diagnosis last year and has been absent for 14 consecutive Board of Supervisors meetings.

The Pilot Travel Center would be located in lower Lagoon Valley on Cherry Glen Road. Vasquez pointed constituents to the city of Vacaville's website for more information. He said his "general understanding" is that the city will need to make approvals before the Local Agency Formation Commission process can begin on the proposal.

"While the proposed development of the travel center is in unincorporated Solano County, the application has been made through the city of Vacaville's Community Development Department," he wrote in the Board's Daily Digest Bulletin. "It appears the applicant is seeking to annex the land into the city limits."

Alexis Koefoed, a farmer and District 4 resident, wrote to the board and county counsel asking for clarification regarding Vasquez's level of representation for his constituents during his extended absence from board meetings.

"My purpose in writing is not about his personal circumstances," she wrote. "It is about ensuring that the residents of District 4 continue to have active representation while important county decisions are being made. District 4 is currently facing significant public policy decisions, including the proposed annexation and truck travel center at the entrance to Pleasants Valley. These decisions will move forward regardless of whether our elected representative is able to participate."

Koefoed noted in her letter that Vasquez's office states it has continued constituent services.

"While I appreciate that those services remain available, staff cannot fulfill the responsibilities of an elected supervisor by participating in Board deliberations, casting votes, serving on commissions, or representing District 4 in policy decisions," she wrote.

Koefoed asked what state law has to say about a supervisor who has not resigned but is "unable to perform the duties of the office for an extended period."

"If no such mechanism exists, how does the Board believe the interests of District 4 residents are being represented during this period?" she asked.

Solano County is bound by the California Government Code on this matter, which generally allows a Supervisor's seat to be declared vacant if they are absent for three consecutive months. However, the law waives this three-month limit for cases of illness.

Koefoed argued that representative government requires every district to have an active voice at the county level and that District 4 residents have a right to understand the level of representation their interests are receiving.

"If there is no existing process to address a prolonged absence, I respectfully ask the Board to explain how it intends to ensure that the residents of District 4 continue to have meaningful representation until a new supervisor takes office," she wrote.

The Pleasants Valley Agriculture Association sent out a press release Thursday asking for a "thoughtful and transparent review" of the project. The property is currently zoned for agricultural use and a zoning change would be required for the proposal to move forward.

"This proposal is about far more than a truck stop," said Gaul Culley, President of the Pleasants Valley Agricultural Association. "It asks our community whether land that has long been part of Vacaville's Greenbelt should be converted from productive agricultural use into large-scale commercial development."

Culley argued the community has a responsibility to defend its agricultural heritage, public saftey and traffic flow.

"Our Greenbelt is more than open space," Culley said. "It is a living landscape that supports agriculture, protects our rural identity, and serves as a defining gateway to Vacaville. Our responsibility is not simply to ask whether this project can be built. It is to ask whether it should be built here, and whether this location reflects the thoughtful, orderly growth that has long been a cornerstone of our community."

Vasquez's office issued a statement to The Reporter regarding his absences on Friday.

"I continue to work directly with my staff on all District 4 issues," he wrote. "Together, they have over 20 years of experience at the County from Health and Social Services to land use and planning, working with County staff to address the constituent needs that come to us. We collectively address all the emails and voicemails that come to our office and continue our work to serve the people of Solano County." The statement encouraged constituents to reach out to the office if they "need assistance with county services and matters of importance to Solano County" and included Vasquez' office number (707) 784-6129 and email JMVasquez@SolanoCounty.gov

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