City Council
June 16, 2026
Open Space and Conservation Element (OSE) Update
Overview and Purpose
The City’s Planning division is tasked with updating Fullerton’s Open Space and Conservation Element to comply with CA state requirements based on Senate Bill 1425 (SB 1425), which was signed into law in 2022 with a compliance deadline of January 1, 2026.
The Open Space and Conservation Element is a core component of the city's General Plan, which is the foundational, long-range policy document guiding growth and land use. Its adoption is required to comply with state law.
The update must specifically address three areas by correlating with other General Plan elements:
Equitable Access: Ensuring all residents have access to open space, correlated with the Environmental Justice Element.
Climate Resilience: Enhancing the role of open space in climate adaptation, correlated with the Safety Element.
Rewilding Opportunities: Preserving and enhancing an integrated network of open space for habitat and other benefits, correlated with the Land Use Element.
Key Items For Consideration of Adoption
The Open Space and Conservation Element Itself
Replaces Chapter 19 : Open Space and Natural Resources, as Appendix M Additional: Appendix M Supplement - Online Public Survey Responses Integration of Public Comments (five received) into the Element and Goals and Actions as applicable Adoption requires a General Plan Amendment.
Primarily a Policy Integration. No direct land use changes and zoning code modification The Planning Commission approved and recommended the Element for City Council approval by a 5-0 vote, adopting Resolution No. PC-2026-06 on April 22, 2026.
Exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) Common Sense Exemption. Draft Notice of Exemption prepared.
Major Milestones and Deliverables
Deliverable
Open Space and Conservation Element Update (OSE)
Public Review Draft Element (30 Days)
Draft Notice of Exemption Element
and SB 18 Process
Action Plan Draft Element
Administrative Draft Element
Vision and Policy Development
Kick-off
September 2025
City Council
Public Hearing and Adoption
June 2026
Public Engagement
(Online Public Survey and Community Pop-up Event)
We are here!
Research and Analysis
Planning Commission
Public Hearing
April 2026
Open Space Element (OSE) Structure
Goals and Policies
Goal 1: Balance public use with ecological health.
Goal 2: Fund and acquire future open spaces; green underserved areas.
Goal 3: Protect habitats, waterways, and native plants.
Goal 4: Expand accessible trails and parks.
Goal 5: Boost climate resilience and wildlife corridors.
Goal 6: Add green infrastructure and tree canopy in Districts 4 and 5.
Goal 7: Ensure community participation and multilingual outreach.
Existing Conditions
Open Space Inventory
West Coyote Hills
Access to Open Space
Habitat Conservation
Wildlife Connectivity and Rewilding Opportunities
Climate Vulnerability and Resilience
Introduction
Purpose and Background
Statutory Requirement
Planning Process
Relationship to Other Documents
Survey Supplement
Appendix M Supplement
Online Public Survey Responses
Section 2.
Appendix M – Open Space and Conservation Element
Action Plans
Internal City Document
130+ action items, not to file with OSE
Community Engagement Summary
Survey Categories
Environmental Justice, Open Space and Conservation, Access, Re-wilding, and Climate Resilience Days Live for Responses
October 27– November 30, 2025
35 Media Channels
City Website, City Banner, City Instagram, Email E-Blast, and Digital Display Boards 5 Total Survey
Participants
642
ONLINE SURVEY
5 Hours Connecting In person time connecting with the Community Activity Boards
Receiving 85 responses
2 Flyers Provided
To build awareness on the Process
100+
In Person Visitors
OktoBOOfest in Fullerton on October 30, 2025
150+
OUTREACH EVENT
4 Community Engagement Processes
City's dedicated webpage
Email E-blast
Social Media Outreach
Banners
Soofa digital display boards at the transit center
Community Engagement Themes
Strong use of open spaces: Over 85% of respondents noted that there are open spaces in Fullerton that they visit Most respondents visit parks and trails regularly; popular locations include Hillcrest Park, Laguna Lake, Craig Regional Park, and Coyote Hills among others Barriers to access: Common issues include time constraints, lack of amenities (restrooms, shade, seating), and safety concerns Cost and transportation to the park were not commonly identified as barriers to access Desired improvements:
Respondents want cleaner and more accessible restrooms, better parking, more shaded seating and picnic areas, improved maintenance, restrictions on e-bikes, and enhanced safety measures Open Space
Community Engagement Themes
Wildlife presence: Over 78% of respondents reported that they are aware of wildlife areas in Fullerton Residents frequently observe wildlife in the Coyote Hills, Laguna Lake, and the various parks and trail systems Adaptation strategies:
The most frequently suggested actions were planting more native trees and vegetation, cultivating tree canopy for shade, and protecting and restoring native habitats Preservation priorities: Over 77% of respondents identified areas to preserve, enhance, or expand Coyote Hills was the most common response, along with various open space areas and trails in Fullerton Preferred outreach methods: Respondents most often suggested partnerships with local nonprofits and schools, community workshops and forums, and online surveys, along with youth/senior engagement programs and public reporting on environmental health data Continued involvement: About 58% or respondents provided an email address to be informed on long-range planning updates Re-Wilding and Outreach Awareness
Open Space and Conservation Maps
Open Space and Recreational Trails Inventory Maps
Note: Recreation is mapped in this Element but remains a separate section (The Fullerton Community) within Fullerton’s General Plan
OPEN SPACE TYPE
COUNT OF OPEN SPACES
TOTAL ACRES
Public Parks
50 ~665
Joint-Use School Parks
7 ~18
Habitat Conversation Areas
5 ~700
Robert E Ward Preserve
1 ~72
All Other Habitat Conservation Areas
4 ~628
Other Open Spaces
4 n/a
Open Space and Conservation Maps
As a city, Fullerton ranks healthier than 82.4% of other California cities and towns in terms of park access. However, several census tracts have below average access ratings.
Several areas of the city do not have access to a public park or open space within a half mile from their house.
Open Space Access by Census Tract and by a Half Mile Buffer
Open Space and Conservation Maps
Extensive urban development limits wildlife corridors and habitat linkages in Fullerton; however, re-wilding at a smaller scale, such as enhancing habitats, planting vegetation, and implementing wildlife-friendly infrastructure can create pathways for wildlife movement.
In California, urban tree canopy covers 14.5% of the state’s urban areas; a few census tracts in Fullerton are below that average.
Habitat Connectivity Opportunities and Existing Canopy Cover
Open Space and Conservation
Summary of Existing Conditions
Rewilding: The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) commissioned the California Essential Habitat Connectivity Project to illustrate the network of connected wildlands and strategies to support California’s diverse natural communities Habitat connectivity areas align with existing open space in Fullerton Access to Open Space: Most census tracts have access to open space; however, five tracts have been identified where 50% or fewer residents live within a walkable distance (half-mile) of a park or open space
Goals and Policies
Final Step: Draft Updated Goals
Note: No fiscal policies are proposed — the Element does not include any new fees, assessments, or fiscal obligations
1. Responsible Management
Promote responsible management of existing open spaces, balancing public use with ecological health.
2. Future Open Spaces
Guide the development, preservation, and stewardship of future open spaces.
3. Natural Systems
Conserve sensitive habitats and waterways, restore native vegetation and biodiversity.
Increase accessibility and inclusivity of open space resources and enhance a connected trail system.
5. Rewilding & Biodiversity
Support native biodiversity, enhance climate resilience, and maintain ecological function through rewilding and habitat restoration.
6. Climate Resilience
Adaptively manage infrastructure to strengthen resilience against climate change impacts, including extreme heat, increased flood risk, and other hazards.
7. Community Participation & Stewardship
Actively engage residents, regional partners, and organizations in the protection and enhancement of local natural resources.
4. Accessibility & Trails
Next Steps
City Council hearing: June 16, 2026
Submit Open Space Element to Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (formerly OPR): June 2026 (Tentative) City must adopt Open Space Element Update as close to January 1, 2026 as possible
SB-18 Tribal Consultation Process
SB 18: All California tribes provided by the Native American Heritage Commission in response to Sacred Land Files search request (Government Code §65352.3) and local governments that adopt or amend general plans or specific plans or create open space designations.
SB 18 initial notification letters sent out on March 5, 2026 Received 4 responses from tribal groups
Consultation to be completed prior to adoption of the Open Space Element Update by the City Council and that tribes be given 90 days to respond to the initial notice.
Recommended Action
Adopt City Council Resolution No. 2026-XXX entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FULLERTON, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING A GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT TO ADOPT THE UPDATED OPEN SPACE AND CONSERVATION ELEMENT, AS APPENDIX M OF THE FULLERTON PLAN AND TO REPLACE CHAPTER 19 IN ITS ENTIRETY CEQA Exempt under Section 15061(b)(3) - Common Sense Exemption