Open Space Element Update

The City of West Hollywood is updating its General Plan to replace the existing Parks and Recreation Element with a new Open Space Element in response to Senate Bill 1425, which mandates that local jurisdictions address equitable access to open space, climate resilience, and rewilding opportunities in their planning documents. This policy update includes revised background information, inventories, goals, and implementation strategies focused on enhancing access for disadvantaged communities, improving existing park service levels, expanding urban greening and rewilding initiatives, and integrating climate adaptation measures. The amendment is a strategic, non-binding policy framework that does not authorize, fund, or approve any specific land acquisition, rezoning, construction, or capital improvement projects; instead, it provides guidance for future discretionary actions that will be subject to separate environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act. The update draws on a range of supporting materials including the City’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, SCAG’s Connect SoCal 2024, and federal wetland inventories to ensure alignment with regional and state planning goals. The project is led by the City of West Hollywood with Emily Rotman, Assistant Planner, serving as the primary point of contact, and Michele Finneyfrock of Dudek as the project manager. While the document references a public review period from July 16 to August 17, 2026, and includes environmental assessment criteria under CEQA Guidelines, there is no formal procurement process, contract value, pricing, or federal acquisition regulation clauses associated with this initiative. No funding, delivery schedule, payment terms, or contractor evaluation criteria have been established because this is not a competitive procurement but a policy amendment process. The update complies with local ordinances and state environmental standards, incorporating standards for air quality, fire hazard zones, erosion control, and scenic design, but does not rely on technical specifications such as ASTM or ISO. All future physical improvements proposed under this policy will require individual environmental review and separate approval, ensuring that implementation remains adaptive and site-specific, with final inspection and acceptance responsibilities held by the City as the lead agency.