Save Rural Elk Grove
Protecting the Rural Area and Keeping Residents Informed About the Summer Villas Project Proposal
This website provides factual information about the proposed Summer Villas Special Planning Area project located at Sheldon Road and Waterman Road in the rural Sheldon area of Elk Grove. Our goal is to help residents understand what is being proposed, what approvals would be required, and what the process means for the future of the Rural Area.
Stay informed. Review the facts. Understand the process
What Is the Summer Villas Project?
The Summer Villas Special Planning Area proposal covers approximately 115.9 acres located near Sheldon Road and Waterman Road in Elk Grove.
The site is currently:
-
Designated Rural Residential under the City of Elk Grove General Plan
-
Located within the Rural Area Community Plan
-
Zoned Agricultural Residential Two Acre Minimum AR 2
Under existing zoning, development is limited to low density rural residential parcels.
What Is Being Proposed
The proposal would:
-
Amend the General Plan and Rural Area Community Plan
-
Rezone the property
-
Create a Special Planning Area
-
Allow development of up to 499 age restricted single story single family homes
-
Include a private recreation center and associated improvements
-
Dedicate required portions of the site to open space and roadway improvements
The applicant is Sheldon Business Park Ltd.
Because the current land use designation is rural, approval would require formal policy changes by the City.
A Visual Story: Mapping the Proposal
Primary Site Map & Boundaries
Waterman Road - Key View #1
Roundabout at Sheldon and Waterman - Key View #2
Sheldon Road View - - Key View #3
Regional High-Level Perspective
Connectivity & Context
The Summer Villas site is located within the heart of the Sheldon rural area. Looking at the area from a high-level view, it is clear that the project sits adjacent to existing low-density parcels, local roadway ecosystems, and established farming operations and is key to recognizing the significant scale of change proposed for this landscape.
WHAT WOULD THE CITY COUNCIL VOTE DECIDE
To move forward, the project would require City Council approval of:
• A General Plan Amendment
• A Rural Area Community Plan Amendment
• A Rezone
• Establishment of a Special Planning Area
These approvals would change the land use designation from rural residential to allow higher density urban residential development.
Why This Matters
The Rural Area Community Plan was established to preserve agricultural land, open space, and rural character. A decision to amend those policies for this site would formally remove the property from the Rural Area designation and permit urban style development at higher density.
City Council decisions on General Plan amendments establish land use direction and can influence future proposals in similar areas.
Why Residents Are Concerned
The 1,300% Density Surge
The Summer Villas project would increase density from 35 homes to up to 499 houses—a roughly 1,300% surge. Please rely on official documents for factual details about impacts rather than social-media rumors.
Higher Traffic Volume
The addition of nearly 500 new homes would significantly impact traffic safety on narrow rural thoroughfares and increase congestion throughout the Sheldon community.
Water and Flood Control
Concerns include increased water demand, impacts on groundwater recharge, and pressure on established flood control systems and local drainage infrastructure.
Farming Heritage Conflicts
Increased residential density often leads to direct conflicts with ongoing agricultural operations, animal keeping, and the historical use of the Rural Area for grazing.
Emergency Service Pressure
A 1,300% housing increase creates substantial new demand for emergency services, local fire response infrastructure, and public safety resources not sized for this growth.
In addition to the concerns already raised, there are several significant and far‑reaching consequences that would result if the proposed Summer Villas SPA were approved. Chief among these is the disruption of long‑established policies and land‑use allowances that rural residents have relied on for decades to build their lifestyles, livelihoods, and expectations for the future.
A change to these foundational policies is not a NIMBY issue. It is a community‑wide issue that affects every resident in the rural area. Altering these policies would signal to other developers that the city is open to similar urban‑style projects in rural zones. Approval of a General Plan Amendment, Rezone, and SPA—along with the other entitlements required—would be the proverbial “camel’s nose under the tent.”
Several key policies are at stake, including:
-
The Right to Farm – A long‑standing protection that ensures agricultural operations can continue without incompatible encroachment.
-
The Prohibition of Municipal Services in the Rural Area – A policy designed to prevent urban‑level development from taking root where it does not belong.
-
The Rural Roads Standards and Design Guidelines – Standards adopted specifically to preserve rural character, safety, and infrastructure expectations.
These policies exist to protect the rural area and maintain the character that residents have chosen and invested in. The proposed Summer Villas SPA conflicts sharply with these principles. It introduces an urban development in the middle of agricultural and rural‑residential zoning—an incompatibility that raises the question: How many other policies and standards would be weakened or rewritten next? That remains unknown.
For these reasons, the rural community stands firmly opposed to the proposed project. We invite you to join us and support our efforts in seeking Planning Commission and City Council denial of the Summer Villas SPA.
Official Status and Public Record
- Housing Density Surge: Projecting an increase from 35 to 499 single-family homes (1,300% surge). Please rely on official documents for factual details rather than social-media rumors.
- Downloadable Reports: Access the official Draft EIR (PDF) and the Notice of Availability (PDF).
- City Planning Portal: Current documents are hosted on the City Project Page.
- Technical Appendices: The formal environmental review includes Appendix A–D, Appendix E–G, and Appendix H–N.
FACT SHEET & UPDATES
Current Status
-
Housing Increase: The Summer Villas project would increase the density from 35 homes today to as many as 499—a roughly 1,300% increase on agricultural land.
-
Community Impact: Likely effects include higher traffic volume, increased water demand, and added pressure on emergency services and local flood control infrastructure.
-
Environmental Review: The Draft EIR (SCH 2024080407) was released on Oct 9, 2025. Official data is detailed in Appendix A–D, Appendix E–G, and Appendix H–N.
-
As of now:
-
No Final EIR has been released
-
No Planning Commission Hearing set
-
City Council vote will only happen after Planning Commission Hearing
-
No final approvals have been granted
-
The project remains under review.
We encourage visitors to sign up for email updates and attend hearings. Please rely on these official documents for accurate, factual details regarding impacts, rather than informal social-media rumors. Support our community by supporting GSREHA and SCA to preserve our rural heritage.
How Can I Help?
-
Join us and stay up to date on Facebook or this website
-
Engage neighbors/friends
-
Write the City Council
-
Write the Planning Commission
-
Signup for City Council and Planning Commission agendas
-
Plan to attend scheduled hearings/bring a family member, friend or neighbor
Help protect our community's farming heritage. Sign up for email updates on the Summer Villas campaign, request a yard sign, or ask for project documentation. We invite you to attend upcoming Planning Commission and/or City Council hearings and review the Draft EIR (SCH 2024080407).
Your privacy is important. We only use your information for community awareness updates related to Save Rural Elk Grove.
Follow Summer Villas Progress
Stay informed and join the community discussion on Facebook. We invite residents to consider supporting the Sheldon Community Association (SCA) or the Greater Sheldon Road Estates Homeowners Association (GSREHA ) to help preserve our rural heritage.
.