At the Planning Commission meeting on Thursday, the board members discussed and voted on the retention and affirmation of Benicia’s sphere of influence.
State law and the Solano Local Agency Formation Commission requires updates to spheres of influence and associated municipal service reviews every five years. The Benicia Municipal Review was adopted by the Solano Local Agency Formation Commission in February. It up to the Planning Commission to update the sphere of influence.
Before voting on the agenda item, the Commission opened up the discussion to the public for comment. Benicia resident Bob Berman came up to the podium and expressed his thoughts on Benicia’s sphere of influence.
Berman did not support retaining and affirming Benicia’s sphere of influence. He thought there should be more discussion about the area the sphere of influence included and why it was drawn the way it was. Berman would have liked there to be more discussion on Vallejo’s sphere of influence and how it interacts with Benicia.
“I think there needs to be a little more understanding and discussion of the tri-city county coroner’s planning area,” Berman said. “There also needs to be a discussion regarding Measure K.”
The Planning Commission then discussed Benicia’s sphere of influence. Some commissioners echoed Berman’s concerns. They wanted to know how the sphere of influence of both Benicia and other neighboring cities would affect the city. Commissioners also brought up the idea of more clearly defining what the phrase “sphere of influence” meant so that it becomes understandable and common knowledge to the average person.
“My feeling would be if we were to forward this to the City Council it would have to be with a strong emphasis of the public comment we received, and the commissioners have not come to a consensus on the public comment we received,” Chair Kari Birdseye said. “We all definitely have questions regarding the questions Mr. Berman has brought up.”
A motion was proposed that the Planning Commission recommend the approval of the agenda item and that it be tailored to reflect and provide concerns to the City Council about regional cooperation related to the cities of Vallejo, Benicia and Fairfield’s sphere of influence and that all cities share the same goals of open spaces.
The motion item was passed unanimously.
The Planning Commission was also set to hear updates on the Great Delta Trail. Vic Randall, the man responsible for a presentation on the Great Delta Trail at the meeting, was absent due to an illness. The presentation will be postponed until a later meeting.
The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 14.

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