RANCHO MURIETA, CA (MPG) - Despite rain earlier in the day, the Sunday on the Green event hosted by Saving Our Lakes & Open Spaces (SOLOS) on April 27 at Lake Clementia drew a strong turnout. More than 50 tickets were sold in advance, with an additional 50 purchased at the door, according to SOLOS President Cheryl McElhany.

“The food was great,” McElhany said, noting that Chef John Van Doren grilled 100 bratwursts for the event. Guests also enjoyed live music performed by the New Age Quintet, and the lucky ones scooped up donated raffle prizes. 

The gathering brought in many new faces. Vice-President John Merchant reported speaking with several SOLOS members he had never met. 

“They were eager to learn more about proposed development … or the lack thereof, we hope,” McElhany added.

SOLOS is marking what McElhany described as “a very successful year” in opposing future development. “This is due to a final acknowledgment by CSD and local developers that there is not sufficient water to support the proposed development,” she said.

A recent highlight for the organization was Rancho Murieta Properties’ filing of a revised application for the proposed Rancho North development. The updated map eliminates 136 housing units previously planned for Villages D, E, F and G, reducing the total number of units to 561.

“Although that’s a reduction, the community still doesn’t have enough water to support them,” McElhany said. “So we will continue to work toward making this realization acknowledged by all involved.”

She also cited another milestone: the successful petition for a moratorium on future development presented to the district in December.

“Our membership continues to grow each month,” McElhany noted. “We now have over 1,500 members.”