Rural Elk Grove protection

Presented the Rural Roots booklet on behalf of rural-area residents and urged the commission to uphold the general plan's protections for rural Elk Grove.

Thanked booklet contributors and said the rural area should remain preserved, protected, and intact as both a lifestyle option and a city asset.

A Wilton resident of 35 years who warned that unchecked growth is destroying rural character and stealing open country from grandchildren, and flagged commercial-event impacts in rural Wilton.

Noted that every citizen group since the first general plan has supported protecting rural Elk Grove and asked the commission to honor that when the project comes before them.

A Sheldon Road resident and Sacramento State groundwater professor who explained how rural open land recharges groundwater, supports pollinators, and cools the city — and asked that it be preserved for her 4-H kids.