COMMUNICATIONS
IN RELATION TO THE
CITY OF ELK GROVE
SEPTEMBER 9, 2026
REGULAR MEETING
8401 Laguna Palms Way • Elk Grove, California 95758
Tel: 916.683.7111 • Fax: 916.627.4201 • elkgrove.gov
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Jason Behrmann, City Manager
Subject: City Manager's General Administrative Report
September 9 2026
Eat your way around the World – This Saturday!
Take a culinary journey around the world through an incredible lineup of food trucks and vendors at Global Feast Fest this Saturday, September 12 from 3-8 p.m. at District56. This Diversity Month celebration hosted by the City and presented by Wilton Rancheria will welcome more than 20 food trucks offering savory cultural street foods and irresistible sweet treats. Performances by Cover Me Badd, Native Elements, and Maya Latin Roots will keep the crowd moving and the Kid Zone will offer games, activities, and crafts for the little ones. The cultural marketplace will showcase handcrafted goods, unique items, and artisan products from around the globe and the Pig Latin Lounge will serve a curated selection of craft beers and specialty drinks. Come hungry, come curious, and come ready to experience the world in one place. Learn more at the City’s website.
Drop By for Coffee & Culture
Experience the rich coffee heritage of Yemen and grab a free cup. The Diversity & Inclusion Commission and Sana’a Cafe will host Coffee & Culture, a free event on Saturday, September 19 from 10 a.m. to Noon at their cafe at 9135 West Stockton Blvd. Try a few cultural treats, enjoy live entertainment, and if you’re among the first 100 visitors, get a special Diversity Month coffee mug.
Learn more about the events and activities presented by Kaiser Permanente during Diversity Month in Elk Grove at https://elkgrove.gov/event/diversity-month (https://elkgrove.gov/event/diversity-month).
City Buildings Being Reimagined
The City is considering new and exciting uses for the former library and Teen Center buildings on Historic Main Street. Residents are invited to help shape what those buildings will be used for by attending the last of three community workshops being held this month on Wednesday, September 16 at 6 p.m. at District56 or participate in the online survey. Feedback gathered throughout the process will help inform recommendations presented to the City Council later this year. View more information and provide your feedback online at elkgrove.gov/8900.
What’s Next for Elk Grove’s Arts & Culture Scene?
Creative Spark, Elk Grove’s Strategic Plan for Arts and Culture, is being developed to guide the next decade of arts, culture and the creative economy. To help shape the vision, residents are encouraged to fill out an interest form to join the community pop-up to share your ideas in person and/or take our online survey and share your thoughts. Your ideas could spark the next big idea for Elk Grove’s arts and culture scene. More information and links can be found on the City’s website. 9/8/26, 1:44 PM City Manager Updates
https://elkgrove.gov/city-manager/city-manager-updates 1/6 Save the Date: A New Chapter Begins for the Elk Grove Library The City of Elk Grove and the Sacramento Public Library (SPL) have transformed the former Rite Aid building at 9260 Elk Grove Boulevard into a modern, one-story library designed to better meet the needs of today's residents. The new 18,000-square-foot library replaces the previous branch, offering easier access, expanded amenities, and more space for learning, creativity, and community connections. Join SPL, Elk Grove officials, and your neighbors as we celebrate this exciting milestone during the official grand opening of the new Elk Grove Library on Saturday, October 10. A ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled at 10:30 a.m. and activities inside will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
I am available to answer any questions regarding this report.
Standing Citywide Initiatives Update
Capital Southeast Connector Joint Powers Association (JPA) Description
The Five agency Joint Powers Authority (City of Elk Grove, City of Folsom, City of Rancho Cordova, County of Sacramento, County of El Dorado) are working to develop a connector road linking Hwy 50 in El Dorado County at the future Silva Valley Interchange in El Dorado Hills with Interstate 5 at the Hood Franklin Interchange.
Update - Sheldon Area
The Grant Line Road Precise Roadway Plan Study that focused on the 2.7-mile Segment C of the Connector was presented to City Council on August 24, 2022 where Council agreed with the recommended Roundabouts versus Signals and the inclusion of an additional intersection between Sheldon Road and Calvine Road to reduce out of direction travel. Direction to initiate further analysis of the Wilton Road Intersection alternatives, and the incorporation of the preferred intersection controls into the Rural Area Community Plan of the General Plan as part of a future General Plan Update was also provided. Project WTR091, Grant Line Rd. and Wilton Road Operational Improvements is in Project Approval and Environmental Document (PA&ED) with AECOM Engineering. Dokken is concurrently working to complete the environmental assessment of Grant Line Road between Sherman Oaks Court to Aleilani Lane. This process has been delayed until Winter of 2026/2027 as the design team incorporates the updated National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) guidelines for roundabout design.
Update - Kammerer Road Extension
The City is preparing the 65% design package for the extension of Kammerer Road from I-5 to Bruceville. Design continues to progress, and right-of-way acquisition activities have begun. The full acquisition of one of the properties has been completed and is now owned by the City. The structures on the full acquisition property are planned to be demolished this Fall. Appraisal inspections occurred this week on three other properties.
District56
Description
The City is developing a multi-phased recreational campus on 56 acres just east of Big Horn Boulevard and south of Civic Center Drive. The site is known as District56 to honor the suggestion of "District" during the public naming process and 56 for the number of acres on the site. Individual projects are described in detail below. The Elk Grove Aquatics Center, the Center (including Senior Center and Veterans Hall), The Avenue of the Arts/Commons, Veterans Grove and the Preserve Nature Area are complete and operational. Future planned phases include a library and performing arts center. The District56 website has been launched and can be found at: http://www.district56elkgrove.com/. 9/8/26, 1:44 PM City Manager Updates
https://elkgrove.gov/city-manager/city-manager-updates 2/6 Update - Library and Performing Arts
The City has finalized a plan for the future Library and Cultural Arts Center (including a Performing Arts Center).
Recommendations were presented to the Council on August 22, 2018 and were well received. The cost estimate (prepared in 2018) for the facility is between $82-$113 million depending on the program size and desired amenities.
Library Relocation
Description
In 2006, the City facilitated the relocation of the Elk Grove branch to 8900 Elk Grove Boulevard. This facility, at the time, provided more space for the library and placed it at a prominent corner entering Old Town. As documented in a 2018 study, the community has outgrown this site and a new location is needed for the Elk Grove branch. In early 2021, the City acquired the former Rite Aid building at 9260 Elk Grove Boulevard. The new location needs renovations before the library could move in. The project will include a full interior renovation, parking lot improvements, new landscaping and other new amenities.
Update - New Library Site
Construction of the new Elk Grove Library, located at 9260 Elk Grove Boulevard, is complete, and the Certificate of Occupancy has been received. The Sacramento Public Library (SPL) has begun relocating operations from the existing library to the new facility. The grand opening of the new Elk Grove Library is scheduled for October 2026.
Update - Library Reuse
Staff has completed five outreach sessions for Beyond Books: Reimagining 8900 Elk Grove Blvd, a City of Elk Grove initiative inviting residents to help shape the future of the historic library building after the library relocates. The City held four youth sessions at Kerr Middle School (April 29), Elk Grove High School (May 5), the existing Library building (May 20), and the Teen Center (May 21) with 71 participants. Youth concepts emphasized flexible spaces that combine food, creative activities, music, gaming and quiet study, reflecting a strong belief that community spaces should serve many different people at once. The City hosted a non-profit focus group on July 15 with 16 participants and a business focus group on July 29. Staff hosted two community workshops on September 2 with about 35 participants each. The final community workshop will be held at District 56 on September 16 at 6 p.m. Staff also launched a community-wide survey in June 2026, which will close on September 16.
Community feedback will help inform a feasibility study and future staff recommendations for the site.
Permanent Homeless Shelter
Description
The City is developing a permanent homeless shelter to be located at the intersection of Survey Rd and E Stockton Blvd. The shelter will offer 20 beds for adults, 5 emergency beds for adults, and four family units. Shelter amenities include semi-private sleeping areas, lounge and quiet areas, dining/multipurpose space, a commercial kitchen, laundry facilities, and separate outdoor areas for adults and families. The future shelter website can be found at https://elkgrove.gov/homelessness-elk-grove/future- homeless-shelter.
Update
Since the Council provided direction on sites on February 11, 2026, the City began acquisition investigations and entered into task orders with NJA (to complete schematic design for the future shelter) and Interwest (to provide architectural review services).
The City entered into a contract to acquire the site. The project schedule anticipates moving forward with acquisition and entitlements by November 2026. The Economic Development team is also developing a strategy to share with the businesses in the immediate vicinity of the planned shelter location. 9/8/26, 1:44 PM City Manager Updates
https://elkgrove.gov/city-manager/city-manager-updates 3/6 Project Elevate: An Elevated Retail, Dining, and Entertainment Experience for Elk Grove
Description
The City owns a 20-acre property at the southeast corner of Elk Grove and Big Horn Boulevards, just north of District56. The City has evaluated future development opportunities for the site and has determined that a development project consisting of a mixed- use town center-style development that includes retail, dining, entertainment, office, a hotel, and potential residential is the preferred project at the site. The objective of the project is to elevate the level of retail, dining, entertainment, and hospitality amenities in the City, while at the same time developing the site with enhanced design elements that promote pedestrian activity and include central, public gathering spaces. For these reasons, the City refers to the project as Project Elevate.
Update
On June 25, 2025, the City Council authorized a Purchase and Sale Agreement between the City and developer CenterCal. Under the terms of the Agreement, CenterCal will purchase the property from the City for $4 million and will develop a project consistent with the City’s vision. The project will consist of a minimum of 100,00 SF of new-to-market elevated retail and dining, a four-story 100-room boutique hotel, and10,000 SF of second floor uses that could include office or retail. The project could include market-rate and affordable residential units, as well. CenterCal is currently in the process of completing pre-leasing and site planning activities and preparing an entitlement application for submission to the City.
Whitelock Interchange
Description
The Project will construct a new interchange connecting Whitelock Parkway to State Route 99 (SR-99) between the Elk Grove Boulevard and Grant Line Road interchanges. The Project also includes consideration of auxiliary lanes of SR-99 to improve traffic operations. In addition, the Project will provide a new bicycle and pedestrian connection to Elk Grove Regional Park. The Project also includes improvements to the local roadway network associated with the Lotz Parkway and Promenade Parkway Project (WTR096) to support access and circulation in the surrounding area.
Update
The Project is currently in the environmental phase. Work is progressing to define project impacts for the environmental studies.
The City and Caltrans are currently working through Interchange Geometric comments.
Status Of Council Direction/Follow Up Matters
Date Direction/Follow Up Status
2/20/25 Explore options for supporting employees with
childcare needs.
The City has contracted with Child Action to
provide referral services, conduct a needs
assessment, and seek childcare providers for non-
traditional work schedules.
9/8/26, 1:44 PM City Manager Updates
https://elkgrove.gov/city-manager/city-manager-updates 4/6 Date Direction/Follow Up Status
2/20/25
Would like an item returned regarding having a
discussion of exploring a ProHousing
designation.
Staff is preparing this item for a future meeting.
(delayed for capacity reasons)
9/10/25
Would like an item returned regarding electric
vehicles (bikes, scooters, etc) and how excessive
speed and safety issues are of concern.
Council adopted a revised ordinance on August 26,
2026 which will become effective September 25,
2026.
4/22/26
Have staff from the City and Cosumnes CSD
have conversations regarding resident concerns
with CSD Ordinance 15 (feral cats).
City and CCSD staff are having ongoing discussions.
5/13/26
Update current bike/trail maps to include
neighborhood connections as shown by a
member of the Trails Committee.
Staff is working with a contractor to complete this
work.
9/8/26, 1:44 PM City Manager Updates
https://elkgrove.gov/city-manager/city-manager-updates 5/6 9/8/26, 1:44 PM City Manager Updates
https://elkgrove.gov/city-manager/city-manager-updates 6/6 Outlook
Automated License Plate Readers
From Mary Tolan-Davi
Date Mon 9/7/2026 11:45 AM
To EG City Clerk <[email protected]>
I strongly support the use of automated license plate readers in Elk Grove. We want to keep our community as safe as possible, and these readers are effective in helping to do so. Do not cave on this issue. We want to keep our community safe and support our police in doing their job in the most effective ways possible. Sacramento has huge safety concerns, and we do not want this to happen in Elk Grove. The concern about misuse of the license plate information is credible and guidelines need to be established to prevent misuse of the information. This is the way to move forward. Thank you for being proactive on this issue.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
AGENDA ITEM NO. 9.01
09-09-2026
GENERAL PUBLIC
COMMENT IN RELATION
TO THE
CITY OF ELK GROVE
SEPTEMBER 9, 2026
REGULAR MEETING
Outlook
9/9/26 City Council Meeting
From
Date Mon 9/7/2026 11:55 AM
To Jason Lindgren <[email protected]>
Re: Sheldon/Waterman Developement
My wife and I have lived in the Sheldon rural area for 48 years. We have watched undisciplined growth during that time with attendant stresses on traffic, air quality, ground water and school infrastructure. Traffic waiting to get past the round-abouts on Sheldon Road are routinely 1/3 of a mile long on school days. Developers make promises of community improvements and wonderful open spaces. Somehow they disappear from the final product. Growth does not equate progress, it just means more problems. Stop this money grab boondoggle. R.
Perkins
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT
AGENDA ITEM NO. 5.00
09-09-2026
- RURAL -
ELK GROVE
ROOTED IN HERITAGE. GROWING TOGETHER .
. TESTIMONIALS
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09-09-2026
AGENDA ITEM NO. 5.00
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT
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Table of Contents
Rural Roots Sunday – About the Series ....................................... 2 Dedication ................................................................................ 3 Beginnings – Part 1 .................................................................... 5 Beginnings – Part 2 .................................................................... 7 The Chicken Farm….......…………………………………………………… 10
Growing Up in Rural Elk Grove.…………………………………………… 11
Oak Trees at the Center of Elk Grove Rural Identity ................... 13 Big Oak Tree ………………………………………………………………….. 15
Growing Up as a Kid in Rural Elk Grove.….…………………………….17 A Rural Life Worth Protecting………………………………………………19
Going Nuts……………………………………………………………,,………. 21
Why We Decided to Live in Rural Elk Grove.…………………………. 23 The Old Railroad Through Sheldon..……………………………………. 26
A Surprise Adventure in Rural Elk Grove………………………………. 28 GSREHA History………………………………………………………………. 31
My Deep Rural Roots..………………………………………………………. 33
Elk Grove Residents Value the Rural Area ..…………………………..35 Protecting the City’s Rural Area..…………………………………………37
The Peters Family Story..…………………………………………………… 39
Growing Good Citizens………………………………………………………41
Shirley Peters..………………………………………………………………… 43
A Tribute to My Dad and the Legacy He Built.……………………….. 45 Growing More Than Crops…………………………………………………. 47
Coming Full Circle: Why Rural Elk Grove Feels Like Home………49 Maintaining our Sacred Rural Area of East Elk Grove……… …….. 51 Closing Message……………………………………………………………… 54
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The Rural Area is valued in our community for its
aesthetic and cultural significance, as well as the
economic and educational opportunities that
agriculture provides. Our commitment to maintaining
the Rural Area is clear and codified in core planni ng
documents…”
Elk Grove General Plan
December 2025
Rural Roots Sunday
Save Rural Elk Grove
About This Series
Rural Roots Sunday is a weekly article series creat ed and published by Save Rural Elk Grove, a community-led campaign work ing to protect the rural residential character of Elk Grove's designated rural zone.
Every week, community members share their personal stories, local history, and firsthand experiences of life in rural Elk Grove. These are real people talking about real life: the land, the animals, the neighbors, the seasons, and the choice to live differently.
The series was built around a simple idea: the best way to help people understand what's at stake in the rural area is to let the people who live there tell their own story. Not policy language. Not legal arguments.
Just honest accounts of what this way of life actually looks like and why it matters.
Articles are published word for word from the contributors, preserving each person's voice and perspective. Where a contri butor was unavailable, but their story was known, the campaig n's team drafted the piece in the same spirit.
This document compiles every Rural Roots Sunday article published to date, presented oldest to newest. Photos referenced in each article can be found on the Save Rural Elk Grove Facebook Page site or Website:
https://www.saveruralelkgrove.com/
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A Dedication to Our Founders and Community Guardians
This book is lovingly dedicated to the founders, leaders, and dedicated residents of the Greater Sheldon Road Estates Homeo wners Association (GSREHA) and the Sheldon Community Asso ciation (SCA) whose vision, courage, and commitment helped preser ve the rural character and community spirit of Elk Grove.
Long before growth and development transformed the region, these individuals recognized the importance of protecting the values, landscapes, and way of life that define Rural Elk G rove. Through their tireless advocacy, countless volunteer hours, and s teadfast determination, they ensured that future generations would continue to enjoy the unique heritage, open spaces, and stro ng sense of community that make this place home.
Among these remarkable individuals, we offer a spec ial and heartfelt tribute to
Shirley Peters .
Shirley was more than a community leader—she was a friend, mentor, advocate, teacher, and guiding force. Her passion f or preserving Rural Elk Grove, her unwavering dedication to her neighbo rs, and her willingness to stand up for what she believed in he lped shape the community we know today. Through her leadership, wi sdom, and grace, she inspired others to become involved, to c are deeply about their community, and to work together for the common good.
The legacy Shirley leaves behind is not measured on ly in meetings attended, projects completed, or challenges overcome. It lives on in the friendships she fostered, the lives she touched, th e traditions she helped preserve, and the enduring spirit of communi ty that continues to thrive throughout Rural Elk Grove.
As we share the stories and memories contained with in these pages, we remember with gratitude those who came before us and paved the way. Their dedication reminds us that communities a re built not by buildings or roads, but by people who care enough t o serve, protect, and leave things better than they found them.
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May this collection stand as a lasting tribute to the founders of GSREHA and SCA, and especially to Shirley Peters , whose vision, leadership, and love for this community will never be forgotten.
"The roots we cherish today were planted by those
who believed in tomorrow.”
As many of these essays reveal, the future of rural Elk Grove rests in its children—young people whose dreams are rooted in the land, strengthened by community, and destine d to make a difference far beyond the place they call home.
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Rural Roots Sunday: Beginnings: Part 1
January 25, 2026 | By George Murphey
How did the Sheldon area develop? What events led to the establishment of Sheldon’s place in Elk Grove’s history? This article will highlight just a few of the events in Sheldon’s his tory. Let’s start from the beginning.
There are many names in Elk Grove’s history associa ted with the Sheldon area. Names like William Daylor, Jared Shel don’s partner, Donner, Rhoades, and Dillard. In particular is the n ame Jared Dixon Sheldon, for whom the settlement of Sheldon, established in 1860, was named. The community surrounding the Sheldon commer cial district, along Grant Line Road, is known as the Sheldon area.
Jared Sheldon received a land grant of more than 18 ,000 acres from the Mexican government in 1844. The grant was in recognition of work done for the Mexican government in Monterey. The gr ant was known as the Omochumnes Land Grant. The grant’s northern boundary line came to be known as Grant Line Road. Future Civil War General William Tecumseh Sherman was the surveyor for the land gran t. Grant Line Road became a well-traveled road, connecting Upper Sacramento Road (Highway 99) to Jackson Highway and the towns and gold fields to the east.
Jared Sheldon was a gold miner, cattle rancher, and farmer. Sheldon and Daylor established a farm and grist mill in Slo ughhouse to supply miners working the Cosumnes River. In time, a disput e erupted over water rights between Sheldon, Daylor, and the miner s. Both Sheldon and Daylor were shot and killed. Sheldon and Daylor are buried in the Sloughhouse Pioneer Cemetery off Jackson Highway.
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During this time several businesses sprang up. One, a wagon manufacturing facility, became Miles Cash Market an d finally what is now the Sheldon Inn restaurant. The Central Califor nia Traction Railroad ran through the heart of the Sheldon busin ess district. A storage and loading shed, now Sheldon Feed, was bui lt to house the many crops destined for Sacramento, Stockton, and b eyond.
Over the years other famous, or infamous, buildings were built. There is no certainty as to the age of these buildings. There was a blacksmith shop, a gas station, now the Y-NOT, the Ponderosa C lub, and Trudy’s Place, now Pholicious. Each of these buildings has been through several iterations and owners over the years. Their place in Sheldon’s history is well established and not forgotten.
Sheldon and the surrounding area, known as the Rura l Area, have remained relatively rural in nature. But the winds of change are beginning to stir. There is pressure to develop the Rural Area. That pressure, along with the future Southeast Connector , will change the character of the area. The coming changes can be ma naged, allowing the Rural Area to remain intact. Next, we’ll take a look at what has occurred within the Rural Area since Elk Grove became a city.
Hopefully this brief glimpse into the past will enc ourage you to take a deeper dive into Elk Grove’s history. There are sev eral books detailing the history of Elk Grove and the part the Sheldon a rea played. History Happened Here Books 1 and 2 and Images of America: Elk Grove by Elizabeth Pinkerton and Echoes of Yesterday by Lanc e Armstrong are excellent historical resources.
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Rural Roots Sunday: Beginnings: Part 2
February 1, 2026 | By George Murphey
Last week’s article provided a snapshot of the settlement of the Sheldon and Rural Area of Elk Grove.
Fast forward to the year 2000.
Elk Grove’s population was approximately 73,000. Th is was the year residents voted to become a city. Many believed cit yhood would provide a better opportunity to have a voice in Elk Grove’s future, rather than traveling to Sacramento to advocate for local issues.
Similar to the past, many names come to mind. These are people who cared deeply about Elk Grove’s future while also wa nting to preserve its roots. Individuals like Leo Fassler, Shirley Pe ters, Tom Shine, Sarah Johnson, Tom Nelson, and many others were dedicated to protecting Elk Grove’s agricultural heritage.
Between 2003 and 2005, the city began adopting its own General Plan, moving away from Sacramento County policies. This m arked the beginning of shaping Elk Grove’s future at the local level.
Community involvement grew during this time. Reside nts became increasingly concerned about losing what remained o f Elk Grove’s agricultural identity. Advocacy efforts expanded, w ith more people stepping in to support preservation.
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Two key groups helped bring those voices forward. T he Greater Sheldon Road Estates Homeowners Association and the Sheldon Community Association, formed in 2002, worked together to represent rural residents and ensure their perspectives were included in planning discussions.
As the General Plan update progressed, these groups worked closely with city staff and council members. Their focus was defining the rural area and establishing policies to protect it from h igher density development.
These policies were not created overnight. They came from months of workshops, discussions, and community input at City Hall. Residents had to clearly explain the reasoning behind what th ey were trying to preserve and why it mattered.
In the end, the effort paid off.
The city adopted a General Plan that formally defin ed the rural area and established policies to maintain its character. These included minimum lot sizes of two acres, development standar ds appropriate for rural properties, support for farming and agricultural activities, and preservation of the rural environment.
Now fast forward again to 2026.
Elk Grove’s population is approximately 183,000.
With that growth comes change.
The Southeast Connector is planned to run through t he Sheldon business district, and new development pressures ar e increasing across the rural area.
One current proposal is the Summer Villas SPA project. This application seeks to amend the General Plan by changing approximately 116 acres from two-acre rural zoning to higher density residential, allowing up to 499 homes.
That represents a significant increase compared to the existing zoning. - 9 -
These proposed homes would be located next to estab lished rural properties that operate under the Right to Farm. Th is includes normal agricultural activities such as equipment use, nois e, dust, odors, and crop operations.
This raises important questions :
Will proximity to these activities be accepted or challenged?
Will existing policies remain in place, or begin to change?
What are the long-term impacts to the rural area?
What unintended consequences could follow?
How should the community respond?
First, by staying informed and engaged.
These articles are intended to provide context for those unfamiliar with the rural area, and to highlight the efforts made over time by residents and the city to preserve, protect, and promote it.
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Rural Roots Sunday - The Chicken Farm
February 8, 2026 | By Eileen Conwell and Frank Roubos
Our Elk Grove rural roots began in April 1984 when we bought a house on Sandage Avenue on 2 ½-acres. Interestingly, we no w lived across the street from a chicken ranch. Talk about rural life!
The ranch was situated on 20-acres and consisted of 10 very large metal buildings which housed 10,000 chickens each. A truck came down the street filled with trays of couple-day old baby chicks. Chicks gathered around heaters that were lowered from the ceiling. As the chicks quickly grew the heaters were lifted and chi ckens filled the houses, with feathers everywhere! Six to seven week s after their arrival, semi-trucks came to transport the full-grown birds to Petaluma for processing. Houses were cleaned and prepped for the next batch of chicks. On and on this went.
As we knew would happen one day, in the early 2000’ s, the ranch ceased operation, the land sold, and the buildings were demolished.
There is not so much as a chicken feather left to p rove this operation once existed. As the 20-acre ranch property was bei ng rezoned for houses, we stayed vigilant to ensure each parcel wa s 2-acre minimum or greater.
In 1984, 13 residences shared our one lane street. T oday, 31 residences, including 5 ADUs, share our one lane st reet. It is obvious that a desire for this rural lifestyle is in demand . We occasionally reminisce about missing the chickens.
Where is Sandage Avenue, you ask? West off Bradshaw , just south of Sheldon, within the Elk Grove General Plan designated rural boundary, which we have sought to protect since the 1990s und er Shirley Peters tutelage, as members of GSREHA.
Greater Sheldon Road Estates HOA, a rural area advo cacy group since 1989.
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Rural Roots Sunday - Growing Up in Rural Elk Grove
February 15, 2026 | By Natalie O., a Rural Area Resident
Growing up in rural Elk Grove has truly been an invaluable experience.
On my drives to school, I admired beautiful sunrises spilling pink and orange colors onto foggy fields and grazing farm animals as if the land itself were just waking up. It's a memory that sticks with me because it reminded me how time moves more gently out here. I became less consumed by the constant urgency and impending dead lines urbanization quietly trains into you.
As a busy high school student, juggling being ASB P resident, a varsity athlete, staying on top of coursework, and remainin g thoroughly involved, my days were loud, fast, and full. There was always something so peaceful and grounding coming home to a quiet st reet with space in between the houses, welcoming neighbors, and my flock of chickens in their coop.
I remember when my family first moved to the rural s ide of Elk Grove, our neighbors came over, some brought pie, others i ntroduced themselves and reassured us they were there if we n eeded anything, they meant it.
That kind of friendliness isn't performative or tra nsactional. It's genuine.
People know each other here, they stop to talk, offer advice on starting a garden, exchange fresh eggs for homegrown vegetables, and always
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look out for each other. It feels like an older way of living, something much of city life has slowly lost. That's why developers shouldn't come here. This place harbors value precisely because it isn't maximized, packed with houses, or paved over.
The quiet, the space, the sense of belonging, those aren't empty vessels waiting to be transformed and this lifestyle isn't outdated. Calling rural Elk Grove "undeveloped" misidentifies its worth. Th is area preserves the history, way of living, and character of Elk Gr ove that modern developers seek to destroy.
As I prepare to transfer to a local UC campus, filled with a different and busier way of life, I hope, when I return home, I am greeted by the serene landscape I grew up in, preserved by those wh o truly understand and value it.
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Rural Roots Sunday –
Oak Trees at the Center of Elk Grove Rural Identity
February 22, 2026 | By Bill M., a Rural Area Resident
Pictured: Nancy Myers - Sheldon Community Association, George Murphey - Former Planning Commissioner, Leo Fassler - GSREHA
Sheldon Community Association (SCA) was initially organized to protect the large oak trees native to the rural area.
Subsequently, SCA did take on other issues such as protecting the Sheldon commercial area against destruction by the wide new connector coming down Grant Line Road.
For a number of years SCA and the Greater Sheldon R oad Estates Homeowners Assoc. (GSREHA) annually organized the "Folks for Oaks" project, partnering with SMUD and the Sacramento Tree Foundation to enhance the oak tree cover in the rural area. That project planted 1,200 tree seedlings, more oaks than are contained in the Elk Grove city park, saving some of them. In addition, many rural residen ts have let wild oaks grow from acorns to now impressive trees.
In 2015 the Sacramento Tree Foundation awarded our o rganizations' "Folks for Oaks" its Austin B. Carroll "Tree Heroes" Award.
But we can remain "tree heroes" only by continuing to propagate and
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protect them against encroaching urbanization. Rura l area lots of two acres or more are perfect environments for that.
What do you prefer?
A well treed rural area is not only beautiful, but carries the practical advantage of reducing the overall summer temperatur e in Elk Grove by as much as several degrees. That is a huge benefit to the whole city, as our climate already is becoming substantially hotter.
Today our rural area is increasingly threatened by commercial and legal pressures to urbanize that will be difficult to resist, spoiling much that we have defended.
But our history of protecting oaks provides a very practical way out.
With the support of its organized rural residents, the city could designate the rural area as an official conservatio n area in which residents retain their current right of rural livin g in exchange for tending a forest cover that protects the city from growing heat threats.
This should provide sufficient legal and policy strength to resist current pressures that would eventually turn today's rural area into more subdivisions.
I vote for more of our beautiful native trees and continuation of a rural lifestyle that contributes to the entire community. That is who we are at our best.
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Rural Roots Sunday - Big Oak Tree
March 1, 2026 | By Momina N., a Rural Area Resident
In front of my home in rural Elk Grove, a towering oak tree stands that has been there longer than I have, longer than the h omes along our road.
When I was little, I would try to wrap my arms around the rugged tree trunk, but I never came close. Even when my siblings and I linked arms, we could not encircle the entire trunk. More than its size, what amazes me is the feeling that this tree has seen decades o f change yet still stands firm in my yard.
To me, that oak tree feels like a symbol of rural E lk Grove itself: calm, rooted, and strong.
One winter during a storm, a heavy branch from that same oak tree fell across my driveway. Before my family even had time to react, neighbors showed up with chainsaws, trucks, and extra hands. Homes out here may sit farther apart, but that doesn’t de fine how close the community is. Moments like this are part of what makes daily life here feel so different from anywhere else.
What makes this place so special is its balance, which feels fragile right now. In minutes, I can reach the hustle and bustle of nearby downtown Elk Grove, but I still get to return home to open la nd, quiet roads, and
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that same oak tree standing guard in my front yard. The contrast is what makes rural Elk Grove unique.
When large housing developments or commercial cente rs are proposed here, it isn't just the land that will cha nge; the balance will change, too. If you replace fields with concrete and buildings, the oak tree will begin to feel crowded and lose its grandeur.
I hope that when I am older, I can still come home to a place like rural Elk Grove, or maybe even this exact area. I hope th e next generation can stretch their arms around that same oak tree, w atch the same sunsets, and feel the same sense of belonging.
Rural Elk Grove is not empty land waiting to be fil led; it must be protected so that it remains a place where nature, roots, and the community can thrive. Some things, like the oak tre e, are meant to stand for generations, and so should the land that surrounds it.
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Rural Roots Sunday –
Growing Up as a Kid in Rural Elk Grove
March 8, 2026 | By Debbie M., a Rural Area Resident.....at Heart!
I was fortunate to spend my formative years growing up in rural Sheldon. In 1987, just before my eighth-grade year, my family moved to the Sheldon area from Sacramento. That move turned out to be one of the best decisions my parents ever made for our family.
At the time, Sheldon was defined by open space and simplicity. The north side of Calvine Road was nothing but fields. West of Highway 99 stretched orchards and cattle ranches. Roads like G rant Line and Waterman cut through farmland. It’s hard for my chil dren to imagine that landscape today, but it shaped who I am.
I had always been a bit of a tomboy, catching frogs and chasing butterflies, but rural life expanded that freedom in ways the city never could. With wide open fields and large properties, we spent entire summer days outdoors, safe to roam, explore, and discover. My friends and I would saddle our horses in the morning, riding all day through the Sleepy Hollow area and north, crossing Calvine Road, creating memories that remain deeply meaningful to me.
Now I enjoy bringing my grandchildren to visit my pa rents’ home, where the rhythm of life feels wonderfully unchange d. We love watching cousins, grandkids and great grandkids race across the grass and field barefoot, laughing, tumbling into cartwhe els, chasing volleyballs, and catching frogs. My three-year-old granddaughter is
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happiest with dirt under her fingernails, while car efully digging for worms in her “Maka’s” (great grandma’s) compost pil e as if she’s uncovering buried treasure. I’m deeply thankful that Sheldon has remained a place of open spaces and large parcels, allowing a third generation of our family to know the simple joys of open land, curious days, and a childhood spent outdoors, just as I once did.
My hope is that rural Elk Grove remains…..more than just a memory.
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Rural Roots Sunday – A Rural Life Worth Protecting
March 15, 2026 | By Mayme S., a Rural Area Resident
When we moved to rural Elk Grove in January 2001, i t was because we wanted something simple and meaningful: two acres of land where we could grow a garden, plant fruit trees, and enjoy the wildlife that makes this area so special. I eagerly started a large vegetable garden, and over the years we added more and more fruit trees.
One of my favorite memories is attending the Harves t Festival at Elk Grove Park with my grandkids. We learned that some of the pumpkin growers shared their seeds with the CSD for local f amilies. I had no intention of entering the Giant Pumpkin Contest, but I wanted to grow pumpkins with my grandkids just for fun—and to intr oduce them to gardening.
A couple of years later, my family suggested a “fam ily contest” to see who could grow the largest pumpkin. Lucky me—my big gest one weighed almost 400 pounds! It took our tractor’s buc ket loader just to lift it.
As the garden and orchard grew, so did the joy of s haring. Every year I gave away tomatoes, zucchini, grapes, cantaloupe, p lums, peaches, apples, oranges, lemons, and more to neighbors, fri ends, and the Elk Grove Food Bank. Even though I eventually gave up th e vegetable garden as my grandkids and I got older, we still sha re our fruit and citrus bounty. Those years created memories we’ll always treasure.
Today, that rural lifestyle is being threatened by a proposal for high density housing on a parcel surrounded by long esta blished agricultural residential properties. Traffic on She ldon Road is already overwhelming. It’s hard to imagine my neighbors safe ly riding their horses the way they have for decades.
Changing our Ag Res zoning would be a real loss—not just for those of us who live here, but for the character and heritag e of the entire Elk Grove Rural Community. This area is more than land on a map. It’s a living piece of Elk Grove’s history, and once it’s gone, it’s gone forever.
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Rural Roots Sunday - Going Nuts!
March 22, 2026 | By Eileen C. & Frank R., Rural Area Residents
Having been raised on a couple acres in Oakdale and having worked as a teenager in an orchard, Frank hoped to one day ow n his own small parcel on which to grow walnuts. The purchase of our home in 1984 on 2 ½-acres in the Elk Grove rural area brought him o ne step closer to making this a reality. Mid-1990 we expanded our lot to 5-acres, started planting Chandler walnut trees, Frank retired, and we went all in.
As the trees grew and the crops increased, we began buying harvesting equipment, a hulling system, and dryers. One thing led to another, and, due to their high quality and demand, we invested in a shelling system.
We could not have predicted what we had gotten ourselves into! At the height, we were getting 25,000 to 30,000 pounds of in-shell walnuts per season. We sold walnuts under the name Elk Grove Wa lnut Co to several farmers’ markets, local Chinese restaurants , and we had an incredibly large faithful following of customers who bought direct from our property.
After close to 20 years of growing, harvesting, pro cessing, and selling, we retired the operation in the Fall of 2014.
This remarkable journey within Elk Grove’s city lim its was made possible because city leaders upheld the promise to honor and protect
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the community’s beloved rural area. We urge today’s city leaders to preserve the rural area so that future generations can continue to experience meaningful agricultural opportunities on small parcels of land.
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Rural Roots Sunday –
Why we decided to live in Rural Elk Grove
March 29, 2026 | By Matt A., a Rural Elk Grove Resident
There’s a reason people choose to live out here, an d it usually has nothing to do with policy language or planning maps.
For me, it started earlier in life, working on my grandparents’ farm in a small town in East Texas. Just land, animals, and w ork that needed to get done. Nothing fancy, but it stuck with me. The work ethic. The ability to provide for your family with the land and the knowledge.
Later in life, we found Rural Elk Grove and made it our home because it felt different. The pace slowed down. The noise faded. There was real space, not just a fence line. You step outside and hear birds instead of sirens, see stars instead of streetlights, and actually notice the moon at night.
Out here, you can have land. Enough to garden, raise animals, and live a life that feels separate from the constant noise of news and social media.
That’s how it started for us. A few chickens. Then a few more. A lot of trial and error, figuring out what worked and what didn’t. Now it’s more
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chickens than we can count, crazy goats, loud sheep , and a few stinky pigs we’ve made part of the family.
It hasn’t been perfect. A lot of learning, a lot of adjusting, and more than a few things breaking along the way. That’s part of it.
That space changes things. The stress drops. The noise from everything else softens when you turn onto roads without sidew alks or streetlights, where people take care of their prope rty and help their neighbors when needed.
Day to day, I work in a fast-paced world. Technology, meetings, emails, travel, always pushing to do more with less. This l ife balances that. It slows things down and brings you back to what’s in front of you and what matters.
At night, it gets quiet in a way that’s hard to exp lain. No engines. No constant hum. Just stillness and the sense that you can breathe again.
Maybe a few frogs or a donkey in the background.
What makes this place special is the balance.
You can live this way and still be 15 or 20 minutes from everything you need. You can step into the high energy of Sacramento when you want to, then come back to something quieter and more gr ounded.
We have small town stores in the Sheldon area. Plac es where people know you, not because they have to, but because tha t’s how it works out here.
This didn’t happen by accident.
People made choices to keep parts of this area rura l, and most of us don’t think about all they’ve done. We just live it.
That’s why people love Rural Elk Grove.
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Not because it stopped time, but because it gives y ou space from it.
Helps you stay grounded.
This way of life isn’t for everyone, but for those who choose it, it matters.
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Rural Roots Sunday - The Old Railroad Through Sheldon
April 5, 2026 | By Matt A., a Rural Elk Grove Resident
If you’ve spent any time in the Rural Elk Grove area , you’ve probably seen it.
A narrow stretch of raised ground cutting through f ields and properties. Old rails in some spots, gone in others . Trees growing in where trains once ran. It passes near Sheldon, by th e feed store, and continues north toward Sacramento and south toward Galt.
Today, it’s quiet.
People walk it. Some ride horses along it. You’ll s ee the occasional dirt bike or someone just out for a run. It blends into t he landscape now, like it’s always been part of it.
But it wasn’t always like that.
This rail line was originally part of a network built in the late 1800s and early 1900s to support agriculture in the region. L ines like this connected smaller farming communities directly into Sacramento, allowing crops, livestock, dairy, and supplies to m ove efficiently to market.
Before trucks and highways took over, rail was the backbone of how goods moved. Farmers relied on these lines to get p roducts out and bring supplies in. Areas like Sheldon had access po ints and loading areas that tied directly into that system.
It wasn’t just transportation. It was infrastructure that made farming at scale possible.
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Over time, that shifted .
By the mid to late 1900s, trucking became more flex ible and cost effective. Highways expanded, and smaller branch ra il lines like this one started to lose their role. Service slowed, sec tions were abandoned, and eventually the line stopped operatin g altogether.
What was once a working rail corridor slowly became what you see today.
Unused, but not forgotten.
There are even local stories from the late 1990s of a small rail car or caboose being moved along parts of the track by a l ocal individual.
Nothing formally documented, but something longtime residents still talk about. It’s one of those pieces of local history that sits somewhere between fact and memory, and it reflects how long t his line remained part of everyday life even after its main purpose had faded.
Now it serves a different purpose.
It’s a path. A boundary line. A reminder.
It cuts through properties that are still used for a griculture. It runs alongside pastures, barns, and open land. And while the trains are gone, the connection to the area’s agricultural his tory is still there.
It’s one of those pieces of Rural Elk Grove that doesn’t stand out unless you know what you’re looking at.
But once you do, you start to see it differently.
Not just as an old rail line, but as part of how th is area was built, and how it still carries that history forward.
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Rural Roots Sunday –
A Surprise Adventure in Rural Elk Grove
April 12, 2026 | By Renae B., a Rural Elk Grove Resident
We are fortunate to live in the rural area of Elk G rove: Our two-acre property has enough room for our chickens, our two trail-horses, a garden and a small pond. We have had wild ducks vis it our pond over the years. There is a seasonal creek at the back of the property, and we put up a couple of wood duck boxes on the nearby eu calyptus trees years ago. The boxes hatched out many ducklings eve ry spring. I once was lucky enough to witness “Ping-Pong” sized duckl ings jump out of the box, fall 15 feet to the earth below, scurry th rough the tall grass and into the creek to their becoming mother. An amazing sight!
One year, while spying on the boxes with my binocul ars, I noticed that the hole in one of the boxes was different? I zoomed in to see that it was now larger and now round instead of oval! ??? I kept up my surveillance for a few minutes and suddenly a face appeared in the opening . . . a barn owl! I was so excited to see an owl. This was the year
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that our pasture and yard had been taken over by Vo les, and now we had a natural exterminator!
I became obsessed with spying on the owl box. Howeve r, after a few weeks, I no longer saw the face in the opening and b egan to worry. I convinced my husband to get the tall ladder so I co uld peek inside. I was startled a bit at the sight of single owlet, lo oking up at me with a so otherworldly face!
Days went by and I still hadn’t seen the face of th e adult owl. I convinced myself that the baby owl was going to die and that something horrible had happened to its mother. After much discussion we decided to detach the box from the tree and take owlet “Sheldon”, still in the box and seat-belted in our pickup truc k, to the Wildlife Rescue on the old McClellan Air Base. During the ho ur-long drive “Sheldon” was hissing like a snake and making loud clicking sounds.
When we arrived, the ladies took the box to the back room to examine the owlet. After a few minutes they returned with the box and reported that “Sheldon” was a very well fed and healthy owle t, and we should hurry home and put him back on the tree as soon as possible. We learned that both parents feed the young and come b ack mostly at night to do so. Did I feel foolish? Yes, I did.
Moments after reattaching the nesting box to the tr ee the mother owl did a fly-by. I wondered how many of those she did while we were gone.
The purchase of a wildlife camera set my mind at ea se. So many pictures of the parents bringing Voles to the waiti ng in the box “Sheldon” night after night. Eventually he fledged as a beautiful barn owl, now in the nearby trees, but still calling out loudly in the dark for more owl food.
The owl pair came back to their box for two more springs, hatching out two owlets the second year and three the last year. Our yard and pasture were cleaned of voles and gophers.
It is so important to keep our rural Elk Grove full of pastures and open spaces where nature can thrive! And eat them Voles!
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Rural Roots Sunday – GSREHA History
April 19, 2026 | By Eileen Conwell, GSREHA President
The Greater Sheldon Road Estates HOA (GSREHA) is on e of two advocacy groups in Elk Grove’s rural area. This history provides context behind GSREHA’s ongoing commitment to protecting th e rural community.
In the early 1970s, a 2-acre subdivision called Shel don Road Estates began developing along Sheldon Road between Elk Gro ve Florin and Waterman. Families moved in seeking a rural lifestyle.
By 1989, before Elk Grove was incorporated, Sacrame nto County proposed an urban plan for the area. Residents quickly recognized the threat of urban encroachment and began organizing t o protect their land use and way of life. What started as kitchen t able discussions led to the formation of GSREHA.
At the same time, nearby agricultural land north of the community was purchased and rezoned for higher-density housing, later developed as Perry Ranch. This included plans for 5 to 10 homes per acre and proposals to connect new roads through Sheldon Road Estates.
GSREHA organized, pooled resources, and hired a lan d-use attorney.
Their efforts resulted in:
Closing all north-facing roads into the Sheldon Roa d Estates development.
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Securing 38 acres of wetlands and open space as a permanent buffer between rural and urban areas. This establis hed a lasting precedent for protecting rural boundaries.
Following this effort, GSREHA made a long-term comm itment to preserving Elk Grove’s rural character. That work continues today.
Over the years, many members have contributed to th is mission.
Notably, Shirley Peters led GSREHA for 34 years unt il her passing in April 2023. Today, GSREHA works alongside the Sh eldon Community Association (SCA) on issues such as rural road policies, domestic well monitoring, and opposing developments like the proposed Summer Villas project.
Please join us.
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Rural Roots Sunday - My Deep Rural Roots
April 26, 2026 | By Tammy M, a Rural Area Resident
My family, the Jordan family, came to Elk Grove in 1910. My Grandparents raised their family in Wilton on Fig R oad, in the Fruit Basket. My dad and his siblings went to Elk Grove s chools. He went to Elk Grove High School when it was on Elk Grove Blvd . My parents bought 20 acres on Calvine Road before I was born, and I never knew any other home until I got married.
I looked out my bedroom window as a child and saw nothing but fields with horses, sheep and cattle grazing alongside the creek. I played in those fields, made mud pies, picked bouquets of wil dflowers for my mom (they were stinky, but she still put them in a vase on the table). I played house with my neighbor Sandy on one side and Julie on the other and played hide and seek with friends.
I went to Elk Grove schools. I rode a school bus. I g ot up early to get ready and get to the bus stop through a cow pasture . I’d run late sometimes and the bus would be waiting at the stop. I would run through the field as fast as I could to get to the b us. A few times I slipped and fell in a mud puddle or cow patty and I cried! I got up and went back home, and my mom had to take me to school.
I rode horses across the field from my friend’s house on Robbin’s Road to our house on Calvine. There were no houses or fe nces… just fields.
I rode my bicycle on hot summer days down a very bum py Waterman Road. On Bond Road we went through the CRAZY bridge , and on to Britschgi’s Dairy to buy a cold popsicle with our s oda bottle money; then back home enjoying every bite.
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I cherish these childhood memories, and I wanted my kids and now my grandkids to know and love the rural lifestyle like I do. I had stability, something all kids deserve, and the opportunity to dream. To this end, my husband and I bought our home on acreage on Sheld on Road in the early ‘90s, when our boys were in elementary school.
Fast Forward
When Elk Grove became a city in July 2000, we were there. We attended city council and planning meetings, standing alongs ide our neighbors to protect the rural character of this area. We wer e assured that the designated Elk Grove rural area would remain rural and that this region would officially and proudly be recognized with signs reading:
Welcome to ELK GROVE RURAL COMMUNITY Established 185 0
The City of Elk Grove describes the Sheldon rural a rea as a protected landscape, emphasizing its agricultural heritage, o pen space, wildlife habitat, and slower pace of life. The City’s website highlights that cattle and horses roam freely, crops grow in open fields, and the rural community is a “valuable asset to be preserved and appreciated.”
The General Plan and Rural Area Community Plan rein force this by designating the area as Rural Residential (RR) with 2 acre minimum parcels, private wells, septic systems, and two lan e country roads, all intended to maintain the rural character.
Today, once again, we are standing alongside our neighbors to protect the rural character of this area. This time we’re b attling against an urban-style development proposal called Summer Villas.
Please help us!
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Rural Roots Sunday –
Elk Grove Residents Value the Rural Area
May 3, 2025 | By Heather S., EG Resident, a Rural Area Supporter
Hello. I'm a 5th generation Lodian who currently doe s not live in the rural portion of Elk Grove but in the city limits f or the last 16 years. I grew up in a farming family who produced cherries, bok choy, corn, and both table and wine grapes. I have five children , all of whom have been active members of 4-H and Elk Grove High FFA. As a busy homeschooling mom, being able to participate in 4-H and FFA right here in Elk Grove is amazing! The rural area is an asset the city should continue to support for the benefit and quality of life for all Elk Grove residents.
We know once an asset is sold and used in an unintended manner, it is permanently gone. It can never be brought back or used for its original intended purpose. It also permanently alters the loo k of the community, removing views and quite literally, putt ing up walls where walls were never meant to exist.
Those who decided long ago the area shown in the General Plan should be zoned for agricultural/residential use are some of the originals who remember what Elk Grove used to look like and how it used to function.
When we erase history in the name of progress, to m ake something it was never intended to be, we take steps backward. W e create congestion and stress where peace and harmony once stood.
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Oftentimes, our decisions are based on money and no t logic. I hope logic wins in this situation because without it, El k Grove's rural roots and promise to preserve them will become quickly el iminated, similar to other building projects we've seen. Approving th is unprecedented project, Summer Villas SPA, will have an effect.
Elk Grove should continue to keep the Rural Area rural.
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Protecting the City's Rural Area: It's More Than a Good Idea, It's In The General Plan
May 10, 2026 | By Lynn Wheat
Protecting Elk Grove’s Rural Area isn’t just a popu lar resident request or a historical preference—it is a core mandate cod ified in the City’s foundational planning document: The General Plan.
Since incorporation in 2000, the residents of Elk G rove have consistently voiced their desire to keep the Sheldo n and Rural Area distinct from the higher-density suburban sprawl th at characterizes much of the city. This collective vision was not me rely acknowledged by city leadership but was formally integrated into the General Plan, which serves as the legal blueprint for all future growth and development.
According to the General Plan, the Rural Area is designated as a unique community asset with specific protections designed to preserve its agricultural roots, open landscapes, and low-densit y residential character. These policies explicitly limit developm ent to 2-acre minimum parcels and prohibit the expansion of urban services, such as sewer and high-volume street lighting, which wou ld fundamentally alter the area’s identity.
The General Plan describes the Rural Area as an ess ential component of Elk Grove’s diversity, providing a necessary con trast to the urban core. It serves as a buffer, a wildlife habitat, and a living piece of our heritage. To ignore these policies or to grant exce ptions for higher- density projects like Summer Villas would be more t han just a bad
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planning decision—it would be a direct violation of the intent and the letter of the General Plan itself.
As the city continues to grow, the pressure to exploit these open spaces will only increase. However, the General Plan exist s specifically to ensure that short-term interests do not destroy the long-term values of our community. Preserving the Rural Area is abou t honoring the promises made by the City to its residents and prot ecting our unique landscape for generations to come.
It’s in the plan. It’s our history. And it’s worth protecting.
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Rural Roots Sunday - The Peters Family Story
May 16, 2025 | By Alexis Peters
The year was 1970 when my parents, Paul and Shirley Peters, purchased the first two-acre lot in the Sheldon Roa d Estates subdivision on Bamarcia Drive. At that time, no other streets had been developed. There were no trees, no bushes, no birds , just wide-open land stretching for miles. The town of Elk Grove was only a five-minute drive away, thanks to the absence of traffic lights and with only two stop signs along the way.
On April Fool's Day in 1971, a date my mom chose on purpose, we moved into our custom-built home. My dad partially built the house alongside our contractor, "Grandpa" Schuh. During c onstruction, my brother Nick and I, both in elementary school, learned hands-on skills:
pounding nails, cutting wood, using a screwdriver, and measuring materials to build our own creations. When we final ly moved in, I proudly told everyone that I had helped build our home by hammering nails into the subfloor!
Growing up "in the country", as we called it, was a gift. Our lives were filled with animals, horses, chickens, rabbits, dog s, cats, and sheep.
Over time, my dad became well-known for raising Suf folk sheep, developing such a strong reputation that he had a waiting list each year for his lambs. Today, I carry on that legacy with a small herd of my own, continuing what my parents began.
In 1984, life in rural Elk Grove changed dramaticall y. Sacramento
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County proposed building a connector expressway fro m Elk Grove to Folsom, right through our home! This threat sparked a grassroots movement that eventually became the Greater Sheldon Road Estates Homeowners Association (GSREHA). I am proud to share that my mother, Shirley Peters, founded the organization an d served as its president until her passing in 2023.
Our rural upbringing for myself and my brother, sha ped who we are today. Through building our home, we learned practi cal math skills.
Through caring for animals, we learned life science . Through daily chores on what we called "the ranch" we learned res ponsibility. With few neighbors and even fewer children nearby, we le arned independence, creativity, and resilience. These exp eriences helped shape us into the capable and successful adults we are today.
I urge the City of Elk Grove to honor and preserve its rural boundaries.
The rural lifestyle offers something invaluable, co nnection to land, responsibility, and personal growth. New generation s continue to benefit from this way of life through programs like 4-H, agricultural exploration, and the development of self-worth root ed in hard work and independence.
Please protect this legacy. Preserve these spaces n ot only for those who came before us, but for those still to come.
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Rural Roots Sunday - Growing Good Citizens
May 24, 2025 | By Amelia Paukert Vankeuren
The Rural Area is critical for preserving our water supply, biodiversity, and a rural farming and ranching lifestyle that ben efits not only its residents, but the entire city of Elk Grove. It prov ides open land where water can infiltrate down to replenish the groundwa ter that flows into our taps. It provides habitat for pollinators, nativ e plants and animals.
It helps counteract the urban heat island, keeping t he city more comfortable for all. It provides fresh fruit and vegetables for our tables.
The need to protect the agricultural and rural heritage of Elk Grove has only grown as development continually expands and p aves over open land.
Almost a decade ago, my family moved into the Elk G rove Rural Area to provide my children with the benefits of a farm upbringing. My children are learning responsibility by tending our garden, collecting eggs, feeding and watering our livestock. They are growing to be healthy and happy by riding horses, exploring the outdoors, and eating fruit picked fresh from our trees. My family deeply values living in close contact with nature and seeing both wild and farm animals in the Rural Area when we go for walks and bike rides around our house.
I grew up on a 10-acre farm in the Napa Valley where I raised horses, pigs, and chickens, and grew and sold pumpkins. Thi s rural lifestyle
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taught me responsibility, a work ethic, and hands-o n skills like equipment repair. I was also a California State 4-H All-Star, where I learned leadership, public speaking, and community service. My rural childhood is in large part why I am now a professor working to educate the next generation and to protect our local ground water supply and water quality. My children, too, are now in 4-H and I hope that they reap the same rewards from it that I did, but in ord er for that to happen, the Rural Area must be preserved.
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Rural Roots Sunday - Shirley Peters
May 31, 2025 | By Save Rural Elk Grove Team
The following is the opening to a lengthy article w ritten by Shirley Peters and published in the Elk Grove Citizen March 24, 2004. Shirley led the Greater Sheldon Road Estates HOA (GSREHA) for 34 years until her passing in April 2023. Interesting how the more things change the more they stay the same. Shirley's words are as app licable today as they were 22 years ago. To set the stage, Elk Grove had just become a city in July 2000.
We believe Shirley is with us in spirit as we navig ate the proposed Summer Villas threat. It is a privilege to share Shi rley's thoughts with you today.
Save Rural Elk Grove Team
An open letter to the Elk Grove community and City Council
Congratulations. The city of Elk Grove Council memb ers, Commissioners and Staff are to be commended for a j ob well done in creating a General Plan that contains many elements supported by the community. A high percentage of the residents spent hours attending hearing upon hearings and have noted their recommen dations are represented in the final draft.
These participating residents also include those wh o live on high density urban lots, in the western portion of Elk G rove, and, through the visionary workshops, supported and encouraged the development of Ag/Res 2 and larger parcels east of Elk Grove-Florin Road, north and
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south of Sheldon Road, proceeding to Bradshaw and continuing east.
The citizenry is to also be commended for giving of their time and effort to create their city that will retain its own integ rity and not be lost in the high density, mundane developments that were en couraged before Elk Grove became a city.
The residents recognize that they are the stewards of their community and know that the significance of the city leaders adhering to the approved General Plan, and not changing the zoning after the fact, will be a worthy and honorable endeavor. Showing continual steadfastness to the edicts of the General Plan will build and su stain reliable, trustworthy relationships between the citizens and city officials.
Stewards of their community. The GSREHA members hav e lived on their Ag/Res 2 parcels since the inception of the S heldon Estates in 1971. As well, included but not in the specific are a of the GSREHA boundaries, GSREHA members have lived on their Ag/Res 3-5-plus acre parcels many decades earlier. The members have work ed hard through the years, first with the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors and now with Elk Grove city officials, to protect and retain their Ag/Res lifestyle and to ensure that the overburdened high-density urbanization does not intrude, encroach, or cause a devaluation of their homes.
The residents have made an investment for a much longer period than the developers/speculators have. The developers bou ght their property as a gamble, a speculation, whereas, the r esidents bought their property to build and enjoy their homes, to r aise families and be a vital part of the community. Citizen involvement is an important element to creating a healthy, safe and resident-friendly community.
Shirley Peters, in memoriam
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Rural Roots Sunday –
A Tribute to My Dad and the Legacy He Built
June 7, 2025 | By Connie Conley, a Rural Elk Grove Resident
“40 years rooted in tradition,
bearing sweet figs year after year.”
My Dad's story began on the largest ranch in Santa Barbara County, where his parents worked and where he learned the v alues of hard work, community, stewardship, and a deep connection to the land.
Those early years shaped him in ways that would gui de the rest of his life.
When his career later brought him to Sacramento, he carried with him a dream: That his own children would experience the same rural upbringing that had meant so much to him. He wanted us to know the freedom of open spaces, the responsibility that com es with caring for land and animals, and the sense of belonging that g rows from being part of a rural community.
Together, my parents made that dream a reality when they purchased property in Rural Elk Grove and raised their family there. What they built was much more than a home. They created a way of life grounded in family, hard work, generosity, and respect for the land.
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Today, three generations later, that legacy continu es to thrive. Family members still live on the property, raising chicken s, tending fruit trees and gardens, and enjoying the rural lifestyle that my Dad worked so hard to preserve.
The values passed down through the generations rema in just as strong. Our younger family members care for older neighbors, helping mow fields, lending a hand when needed, and continuing the tradition of looking out for one another.
That spirit is what makes Rural Elk Grove so specia l. It is not simply a collection of houses on large parcels. It is a livin g, generational community built on relationships, shared values, and a commitment to preserving a rural way of life. It is a place where children learn responsibility, neighbors become extended family, a nd the land connects past, present, and future.
My Dad understood something important: Preserving r ural communities is about more than protecting open spac e. It is about protecting the opportunities, experiences, and valu es that shape generations. Because of his vision and determinatio n, our family, and many others, have been able to enjoy a way of life that is increasingly rare.
As we look toward the future, we owe it to the four th and fifth generations to preserve this legacy. Rural Elk Grov e is part of what makes Elk Grove a unique and cherished place to liv e. It represents a heritage worth protecting, not only for those who l ive here today, but for those who will follow in our footsteps.
My Father's legacy lives on in every garden planted, every chicken coop tended, every neighbor helped, and every child who grows up learning the value of community and the beauty of rural life in Elk Grove. For that gift, our family will always be grateful.
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Rural Roots Sunday - Growing More Than Crops
June 14, 2026 | By Heather W (Critter Creek Farm), a Rural Elk Grove Resident
I grew up on a small family farm just 63 miles south of Elk Grove, where I learned firsthand the discipline, patience, and de ep respect for the land that farming instills. When my husband and I ch ose to raise our four children here, it was with intention. I wanted them to gain the same grounding I did — to understand where their foo d comes from, how it is grown and processed, and what it truly ta kes to bring it from soil to table.
As digital natives, my children have the world at their fingertips. Yet no screen can replace the experience of pressing seeds into soil, tending them with care, and watching the literal fruits of their labor take shape.
That transformation — from seed to harvest — teache s responsibility, resilience, and gratitude in ways technology never can.
Living in Rural Elk Grove is a privilege we do not take lightly. Because we have the space, I am able to serve as Sheldon 4-H 's Creative Horticulture Project leader, welcoming local youth onto our property for hands-on agricultural experiences. Together, we explore fruit tree grafting, cultivate seasonal crops, and craft holid ay wreaths from natural materials harvested on site — no plastic gr eens, only what the land provides.
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Out here, we are not simply cultivating plants and caring for animals.
We are cultivating curiosity, stewardship, and a la sting respect for sustainable agriculture. We are helping to grow a g eneration that understands the value of rural spaces — not only fo r their beauty, but for their essential role in feeding, educating, and strengthening the entire community.
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Rural Roots Sunday –
Coming Full Circle: Why Rural Elk Grove Feels Like Home June 21, 2026 | By Kolbi Parrish, a Rural Elk Grove Resident
Growing up in a rural community in Northern California taught me the value of open space, close-knit neighborhoods, and a slower pace of life. As a child, I spent my days outdoors, surround ed by farmland, lakes, country roads, and a strong sense of communi ty. Those experiences shaped who I am and instilled in me a de ep appreciation for the lifestyle and values that rural living provides.
When I moved to the Sacramento area to attend Sac State many years ago, I was excited by the opportunities that came with living in a larger city. Sacramento offered educational, cultural, and professional experiences that helped me grow. Yet as the years p assed, I found myself missing the feeling of home—the quiet mornin gs, the connection to nature, and the sense of belonging th at comes from living in a rural community.
That desire became even stronger after becoming a m other and navigating the challenges of raising a young family in close quarters during the COVID-19 pandemic. I wanted my son to expe rience many of the same benefits I enjoyed growing up: room to e xplore, a safe environment, and a community where neighbors know, support, and look out for one another.
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When we began searching for a place to put down roo ts, Rural Elk Grove offered exactly what we were looking for. I s till remember the day I showed my husband the listing for the house we now call home.
To our surprise, he immediately recognized it—it wa s the home of a childhood friend and a place where he had spent cou ntless hours playing as a child. In that moment, it felt as thoug h we had come full circle. What began as a search for a rural lifestyle had led us to a place that was already woven into our family's story.
Rural Elk Grove provides the peaceful atmosphere an d agricultural character that remind me of my childhood while stil l offering convenient access to a top-rated school district, j obs, and amenities.
Raising a child here means giving them the opportun ity to develop a connection to the land, a sense of independence, an d an appreciation for community. It is a place where children can explore nature, families can build lasting relationships, and the pace of li fe allows space for meaningful connections.
For our family, Rural Elk Grove is more than just a place to live. It is a place that fosters connection—to community, to the land, and to one another. It is a place of peace that helps balance t he demands of modern life while preserving the values that make r ural communities so special. It is, quite simply, home.
As an Elk Grove resident and mother who understands the value of preserving rural life and who chose Rural Elk Grove because of the qualities it offers, I urge decision-makers to prote ct and preserve its rural character. Future generations deserve the sam e opportunity to experience the sense of community, connection to na ture, and quality of life that make this area unique. Once lost, thes e qualities cannot easily be restored, making their preservation not o nly important for current residents but essential for those who will call Rural Elk Grove home in the years to come.
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Rural Roots Sunday –
Maintaining our Sacred Rural Area of East Elk Grove
June 27, 2026 | Kathy and Steve Lee, Quail Ranch Estates Residents
Neighboring advocates from Quail Ranch Estates supporting the “Rural Area” of East Elk Grove
Located along the western edge of Rural Elk Grove, Quail Ranch Estates occupies a unique place in the community. While we enjoy the benefits of living in a residential neighborhood, we are als o fortunate to share a border with one of the most cherished rural commu nities in the city of Elk Grove and in all of Sacramento County.
The rural character of Elk Grove represents a way o f life that has defined this region for generations. A look back on our city’s history teaches us that Elk Grove was founded by Euro-American ranchers and farmers prior to the gold rush. Our first building was a stagecoach stop/hotel. It doesn’t get much more rural than that. This is our history.
Historic and rural Elk Grove is a distinct and trea sured portion of our city. We stand with our rural neighbors in their ad vocacy and commitment to preserve the character and lifestyle that make this community an exceptional place to visit and live. T o even consider desecrating our history and heritage while torpedoi ng our citizens property values to satisfy a single developer would be a devastating abomination to all who call Elk Grove home.
We old-timers can recall the early city council mee tings, 25 years ago, when our “rural” property owners fought vehemently and relentlessly to create the “rural standards” and earn the title, “Rural Elk Grove,” an accomplishment so significant that our founding cit y council voted unanimously to codify and document and its importan ce into the General Plan. The city was so proud of their hard w ork, working with the citizens, that they approved funding for street signs welcoming visitors into the area. Decades of work and love sh ould not be easily dismissed.
Long before suburban development expanded throughou t the area, farming families worked the land, raised livestock and built the strong - 52 -
sense of community that continues to exist today. G enerations of farmers and ranchers have passed their land and lif estyle on to their heirs who continue to maintain long-held traditions . These traditions remain an important part of our local identity and we, the residents of east Elk Grove (east of Hwy 99), recognize the value of preserving them.
Many enjoy the peaceful views, the abundant wildlif e and the slower pace that comes with living adjacent to the country side. The sight of horses grazing in a pasture, tractors tilling the f ields and harvesting or sandhill cranes and honking geese passing overhead reminds us that not every piece of land needs to be transformed int o housing developments or commercial centers.
Open space provides numerous environmental benefits , supports local agriculture and contributes to education and the quality of life enjoyed by all in the region.
Eastside residents understand and appreciate the co ntributions our rural area brings to our community. Many in the nea rby communities endorse maintaining the rural landscape that helps preserve the character that makes the area special.
While we cannot speak for the entirety of Quail Ran ch Estates, we can convey that many homeowners in Quail Ranch have expressed similar support for maintaining the rural community over a proposed and egregious 499 homesites stuffed into just over 70 b uildable acres and the changes necessitated by such a plan. As growth continues throughout Elk Grove, “
proper planning” becomes increasingly
important. Development has its place, but it should not come at the expense of our rural heritage.
Many residents purchased their acreage and homes re lying on this city’s codified commitment to preserving this area as rural-residential with two-acre minimum lots. Maintaining these stand ards do much to ensure property values will be maintained. Willfully and deliberately re- zoning to allow placing highly compacted housing im mediately adjacent to these homeowners will certainly substan tially diminish their property values. Do our leaders actually unde rstand the - 53 -
devastating effect such a development would have on some of our oldest and dearest friends?
The relationship between many in Quail Ranch and ru ral Elk Grove is one of mutual respect and shared appreciation. We a re proud to be neighbors to those of the rural community and are p roud to support efforts that keep this area “country.” We sincerely hope that careful and open-minded discussions will ensure that our histor y is not tossed aside simply for the benefit of a dollar.
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A Closing Message . . .
Like many others, I look forward to reading and enjo ying each new installment of Rural Roots Sunday (RRS). The histo ry, lifestyle and reasons for locating or living here tell a wonderful story. These stories have accomplished, individually, what no one person or single story could relate about the joys and benefits of a rural lifestyle.
Rural Elk Grove is a place people choose to live. Folks choose to live here for many reasons. There may be one particular reason initially but, over time, you come to realize it’s more than a single reason. As time passes, you plant a garden or orchard, then add a shed, chickens, horses, sheep or goats. It’s learning the land and changing seasons. It’s the wildlife: hawks, turkeys, ducks, owls, coyotes, possums and, yes...skunks. Even a fox or deer now and again. It’s the ebb and flow of prey and predator.
Children have the opportunity to learn the responsi bilities in planting and maintaining a garden or helping care for newbor n livestock. It’s a slow process, but you come to realize, it’s for all these reasons people choose and enjoy a rural lifestyle. Residents from across the city can also enjoy the rural area. Whether it's taking a short Sunday drive, wine tasting and lunch or opportunities to participate i n 4-H, FFA or riding lessons. These activities can all be accomplished within the city limits….adding to the quality of life for all residents.
These are the reasons residents successfully advocated for and the city established and codified Rural Elk Grove in the fir st General Plan, adopted over twenty years ago. These are the same reasons the city has continued to support and protect the rural area . To amend the General Plan would place the entire rural area at r isk….for what? The desire of a single developer to build up to 499 hom es, surrounded by Agricultural/Residential (AgRes) properties? Folks living in the rural area have invested time, energy and financial resou rces in creating lifestyles and livelihoods around the policies codi fied in the General Plan. The rural area consists of more than large lots, it’s a large diverse community consisting of Elk Grove citizens with a s ingle goal… to maintain the rural area and the protections contain ed in the General Plan.
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The City of Elk Grove realized long ago the rural a rea is a link to Elk Grove’s history and heritage, most of which has been lost. Rather than placing the rural area at risk of further developme nt, city decision makers must take seriously the long-standing commit ment to protect, support and celebrate the rural area.
George Murphey
Rural Area Resident
Former Planning Commissioner
“Where Rural Roots Run Deep and
Children Thrive!”