ACTION:
____________________________
Clerk/Secretary
Department: Economic Development Item No: C5
Prepared by:
Aaron Schulze, Economic Development
Manager Meeting Date: April 28, 2026
Approved by:
Imelda Huerta, Assistant City Manager
John Conley, City Manager Agenda Location: Consent Calendar SUBJECT: OPPORTUNITY ZONE PROGRAM 2.0
RECOMMENDATION: Adopt City Council Resolution No. 2026- , supporting the designation of downtown Vista census tract 06073019503 under the federal Opportunity Zone 2.0 Program.
CORRELATION TO CITY COUNCIL GOALS: Economic Development PRIOR ACTION: None.
PRIOR CVBID ACTION: On April 13, 2026, recommended a letter of support for the Opportunity Zone 2.0 application (Vote: 6-0, Lopez absent).
STATEMENT ON THE SUBJECT: On February 24, 2026, staff began discussions with community organizations regarding forming a task force to work towards pursuing a redesignation of downtown Vista census tract 06073019503 (Exhibit 2) for Opportunity Zone 2.0. The Opportunity Zone program provides federal tax benefits to incentivize investment that creates economic opportunity in low-income areas. The taskforce includes Councilmember Fox, City Economic Development and City Manager staff, Vista Chamber of Commerce, The Film Hub, Tideline Partners, Children’s Paradise, and Humble Pie Communications.
On March 9, 2026 letters of support were requested to the offices of Congressman Mike Levin, Senator Catherine Blakespear, and Assemblywoman Laurie Davies. The task force is working with all three offices to coordinate support for the redesignation at the state and federal levels. The Central Vista Business Improvement District Advisory Board (CVBID) voted on April 13, 2026 to provide a letter of support for the Opportunity Zone 2.0 application. Additionally, members of the taskforce met with a GoBiz State Representative to discuss the designation application process.
Staff recommend adopting a resolution in support of the designation of the downtown Vista census tract 06073019503 under the federal Opportunity Zone 2.0 Program. Adoption of the resolution would demonstrate community support for redesignation of this census tract, which is critical for the success of the application.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no direct fiscal impact associated with this consent item. Redesignation of this census tract would unlock significant private investment in downtown commercial and residential development.
AGENDA
REPORT
CITY COUNCIL
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
SUCCESSOR AGENCY
BUENA SANITATION DISTRICT
JOINT POWERS FINANCING AUTHORITY
Approved above recommendation, adopted City Council Resolution No. 2026-70. Vote: 5-0
MEETING DATE: April 28, 2026 PAGE 2
SUBJECT: OPPORTUNITY ZONE PROGRAM 2.0
EXHIBITS:
1.City Council Resolution No. 2026- , supporting the designation of downtown Vista census tract 06073019503 under the federal Opportunity Zone 2.0 Program
2.Downtown Tract 06073019503 Map
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00029213 7
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF
VISTA, CALIFORNIA, SUPPORTING THE DESIGNATION OF DOWNTOWN VISTA CENSUS TRACT 06073019503 UNDER THE FEDERAL
OPPORTUNITY ZONE 2.0 PROGRAM
The City Council of the City of Vista does resolve as follows:
1. Findings. The City Council hereby finds and declares the following:
A.WHEREAS, the City of Vista acknowledges the significant impact that federal investment incentives have on local economic vitality and the enrichment of our community; and B.WHEREAS, the original Opportunity Zone program (1.0) has already delivered tangible results within the City of Vista by unlocking private investment, accelerating housing production, and strengthening the downtown economy; and C.WHEREAS, the City has identified Census Tract 06073019503 as a primary candidate for redesignation under the federal Opportunity Zone 2.0 program based on its potential to provide economic opportunities for low income residents; and D.WHEREAS, the designation of this census tract under the 2.0 program is essential to continue the momentum of attracting private capital into the downtown core; and E.WHEREAS, such designation will facilitate continued investment in critical housing projects and commercial developments that benefit the residents and stakeholders of Vista; and
2. Action.
The City of Vista resolves:
A. To formally support the State nomination package for the designation of Downtown Vista Census Tract 06073019503 under the federal Opportunity Zone 2.0 program; and
B. To authorize the City Manager and relevant staff to coordinate with legislative representatives and the Governor’s Office (GO-Biz) to advocate for this designation; and C. To encourage continued public-private partnerships that utilize these federal incentives to drive economic growth and community-serving development in the City of Vista. [Continued on page 2]
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EXHIBIT 1
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA
PAGE 2
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3. Adoption. PASSED AND ADOPTED at a meeting of the City Council of the City of Vista held on April 28, 2026, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
WALTER CHUNG, CITY ATTORNEY
By:
APPROVED
Walter C. Chung
20260420103855
JOHN B. FRANKLIN, MAYOR
ATTEST:
KATHY VALDEZ, CITY CLERK
By:
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EXHIBIT 2