Open Space Elements
Click the dropdowns below for guidance tools, example documents, sample consultants & RFPs.
Guidance Tools & Example Documents
Guidance Tools
- LCI’s Technical Advisory Discussion Draft – Best practices for updating Open Space Elements for SB 1425 compliance
- Bay Area Greenprint – Mapping and analysis tool for ecological values
- Conservation Lands Network Explorer – Tool to identify priority conservation areas
- Santa Clara Valley Habitat Plan – Example of an HCP/NCCP relevant to regional compliance
Example Documents
Sample Consultants & RFPs
The following are consultants with experience working on Open Space Elements.
Have sample policies, consultant scopes, or RFPs to share? Email arturo@planningcollaborative.com.
-
Rincon
-
Raimi + Associates
-
Michael Baker
-
PlaceWorks
-
Gates + Associates / WRA
-
Dyett & Bhatia
What is SB 1425?
SB 1425 requires jurisdictions to update their Open Space Elements to include policies that support:
-
Climate resilience
-
Environmental justice
-
Rewilding
These updates are intended to align with existing General Plan elements (e.g., EJ, Safety, Conservation) and promote integrated planning for ecological and community well-being.
Compliance Deadline: January 1, 2026
Next check-in: TBD
New Resource: SB 1425 Open Space Technical Advisory Discussion Draft
The Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI) has released the SB 1425 Open Space Technical Advisory (TA) Discussion Draft for a 90-day public comment period. The draft offers practical strategies and examples to help local governments update their open space elements to better address equity, climate resilience, and rewilding goals outlined in SB 1425.
January 12th Check-in
November 5th Check-in
August 15th Check-in
June 17th Check-in
If you’d like to be added to the Open Space Elements listserv, please email arturo@planningcollaborative.com.
All Related Documents
Search within the table
Searches titles and excerpts only – use search to scan PDF content.
Categories
File Purpose
File Type
Upload date range
| Title | Link | Summary | Date | File Purpose | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11.05.2025 – Open Space Elements Agenda and Exhibit A | November 05, 2025 Open Space Elements Check-in Attachment 1 – Exhibit A – P_OS Element_Final 11.3.25 21 Elements_Agenda … | November 6, 2025 | Meeting Materials | ||
| 8.15.25 Open Space Elements/SB 1425 Check-in Recording | The August 15th Open Space Elements/SB 1425 meeting featured updates from Brisbane and Foster City on conducting Open Space Element updates in-house, a presentation from The Nature Conservancy on the Bay Area Greenprint tool, and a group discussion of lessons learned and best practices. The conversation highlighted outreach strategies, mapping resources, state requirements like the “Room to Roam Act,” and opportunities for peer … | August 15, 2025 | Meeting Materials, Presentation | mp4 | |
| Bay Area Greenprint for Open Space Element Updates Presentation | Elizabeth O’Donoghue (The Nature Conservancy) presented on how to use the Bay Area Greenprint tool for updating Open Space Elements, specifically looking at mapping natural assets, assessing equity in nature access, and strengthening climate resilience policies. The tool supports other necessary Open Space Element updates, including habitat connectivity goals under the “Room to Roam Act.” Learn more: … | August 15, 2025 | Meeting Materials, Presentation | ||
| 8.15.25 Open Space Elements/SB 1425 Check-in Summary | The August 15th Open Space Elements/SB 1425 meeting featured updates from Brisbane and Foster City on conducting Open Space Element updates in-house, a presentation from The Nature Conservancy on the Bay Area Greenprint tool, and a group discussion of lessons learned and best practices. The conversation highlighted outreach strategies, mapping resources, state requirements like the “Room to Roam Act,” and opportunities for peer … | August 15, 2025 | Meeting Materials | ||
| 6.17.25 Open Space Element Check-in Slides | Slides from the June 17th check-in on Open Space Elements and SB 1425, which requires jurisdictions to update their Open Space Elements by January … | June 17, 2025 | Meeting Materials | pptx | |
| 6.17.25 Open Space Element Check-in Summary | Summary of the June 17th check-in on Open Space Elements and SB 1425, which requires jurisdictions to update their Open Space Elements by January … | June 17, 2025 | Meeting Materials | docx |