Rural Roots Sunday - Maintaining our sacred rural area of East Elk Grove

To Whom in Concerns:

From: 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 also fortunate to share a border with one of the most cherished rural communities in the city of Elk Grove and in all of Sacramento County.

The rural character of Elk Grove represents a way of 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 treasured portion of our city. We stand with our rural neighbors in their advocacy and commitment to preserve the character and lifestyle that make this community an exceptional place to visit and live. To even consider desecrating our history and heritage while torpedoing 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 meetings, 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 city council voted unanimously to codify and document its importance into the General Plan. The city was so proud of their hard work, working with the citizens, that they approved funding for street signs welcoming visitors into the area. Decades of work and love should not be easily dismissed.

Long before suburban development expanded throughout the area, farming families worked the land, raised livestock and built the strong sense of community that continues to exist today. Generations of farmers and ranchers have passed their land and lifestyle 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 wildlife and the slower pace that comes with living adjacent to the countryside. The sight of horses grazing in a pasture, tractors tilling the fields and harvesting or sandhill cranes and honking geese passing overhead reminds us that not every piece of land needs to be transformed into 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 contributions our rural area brings to our community. Many in the nearby 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 Ranch 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 buildable 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 relying on this city’s codified commitment to preserving this area as rural-residential with two-acre minimum lots. Maintaining these standards do much to insure property values will be maintained. Willfully and deliberately re-zoning to allow placing highly-compacted housing immediately adjacent to these homeowners will certainly substantially diminish their property values. Do our leaders actually understand the devastating effect such a development would have on some of our oldest and dearest friends?

The relationship between many in Quail Ranch and rural Elk Grove is one of mutual respect and shared appreciation. We are proud to be neighbors to those of the rural community and are proud to support efforts that keep this area “country.” We sincerely hope that careful and open-minded discussions will ensure that our history is not tossed aside simply for the benefit of a dollar.

Regards and best wishes, Steve & Kathy Lee