Rural Roots Sunday - Summer Villas Debate Revives 2004 Warning; Rural Advocate Shirley Peters Defended Ag-Residential Lifestyle

…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 planning documents…”

Elk Grove General Plan, December 2025, Page 2-4

 The following is the opening to a lengthy article written by Shirley Peters and published in the Elk Grove Citizen on 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 applicable 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 navigate the proposed Summer Villas threat.  It is a privilege to share Shirley’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 members, Commissioners and Staff are to be commended for a job 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 recommendations are represented in the final draft. 

These participating residents also include those who live on high-density urban lots, in the western portion of Elk Grove, 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 south of Sheldon Road, proceeding to Bradshaw and continuing east.

The citizenry is also to be commended for giving of their time and effort to create their city that will retain its own integrity and not be lost in the high-density, mundane developments that were encouraged 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 sustain reliable, trustworthy relationships between the citizens and city officials.

Stewards of their community.  The GSREHA members have lived on their Ag/Res 2 parcels since the inception of the Sheldon Estates in 1971.  As well, included but not in the specific area of the GSREHA boundaries, GSREHA members have lived on their Ag/Res 3-5-plus acre parcels many decades earlier.  The members have worked 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 bought their property as a gamble, a speculation, whereas, the residents bought their property to build and enjoy their homes, to raise 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