Topic: Los Angeles Open Space Element Update
Date: March 14, 2026

Key Takeaways
The Los Angeles Open Space Element is being updated for the first time since 1973.
The update is partly required by state legislation including SB 1425 and related environmental policies.
The public comment period for the draft Open Space Element runs through March 31, 2026.
Community members raised concerns about definitions of open space, impacts of housing policies, loss of trees and parkland, and the need for measurable tracking of open space.

1. Opening and Announcements
   Cindy Cleghorn opened the meeting and welcomed attendees. Denzil from the Los Angeles Department of City Planning provided announcements, including recent planning fee updates effective February 23, 2026, and an upcoming virtual workshop hosted by the Office of Historic Resources regarding objective design standards for Historic Preservation Overlay Zones. He also highlighted the monthly Planning Department update page where community planning announcements and deadlines are published.
2. Presentation: Open Space Element Update
   City Planning staff Marie Cobian and Fabiola Zuniga presented an overview of the Open Space Element update. The Open Space Element is a chapter of the Los Angeles General Plan that guides how the city protects and manages parks, natural resources, and open areas.
   The existing Open Space Element was adopted in 1973 and has not been substantially updated in more than 50 years. The current update is intended to modernize the document and address issues such as climate change, environmental justice, and habitat preservation.
3. Outreach and Engagement Process
   The Planning Department described a multi‑year outreach process beginning in 2023. Engagement efforts included community workshops, surveys, office hours, interviews, and collaboration with community organizations.
   A technical advisory committee composed of representatives from approximately 20 city departments also provided guidance. In January 2026 the Planning Department released a preliminary draft of the Open Space Element for public review.
4. Goals of the Draft Open Space Element
   Goal 1 – Ensure adequate and equitably distributed open space throughout Los Angeles.
   Goal 2 – Promote coordinated and inclusive planning, management, and stewardship.
   Goal 3 – Provide equitable access to safe and high‑quality parks and recreational spaces.
   Goal 4 – Strengthen climate resilience and public health through open space.
   Goal 5 – Protect ecosystems and support biodiversity and natural resources.
   Goal 6 – Preserve historic landscapes and cultural resources, including tribal connections to land.
5. Public Comment Period and Next Steps
   The Planning Department is currently accepting comments on the preliminary draft through March 31, 2026. Additional outreach, meetings, and consultations will continue throughout the year before a revised draft is released and the formal adoption process begins.
6. Community Feedback and Discussion
   Meeting participants raised a number of concerns during the discussion period. Key topics included how open space is defined in development projects, whether rooftop amenities or balconies should qualify as open space, and the loss of ground‑level green space and mature trees across the city.
   Participants also questioned how open space would be measured and tracked over time, and whether the City maintains data on open space acreage or park access relative to population growth.
   Several speakers expressed concerns about the interaction between open space policies and state housing laws, particularly density bonus programs and transit‑oriented development requirements.
7. Planning Department Responses
   Planning staff acknowledged many of the concerns raised and encouraged participants to submit detailed comments through the official feedback form or by email. They emphasized that the draft document will continue to evolve as feedback is received and that public engagement will continue through the adoption process.
8. Additional Topics Raised
   Beyond the Open Space Element discussion, participants raised additional land‑use issues including illegal signage enforcement, SB 79 implementation options, and broader concerns about how state housing mandates affect local planning authority.
   Follow‑Up Opportunities
   Review the Open Space Element draft on the Los Angeles City Planning website.
   Submit comments before March 31, 2026.
   Participate in upcoming Planning Department outreach meetings and office hours.
   Continue discussion of open space, SB 79, and related planning issues at future PlanCheckNC meetings.