CITY OF MENIFEE
SUBJECT: General Plan Amendment for the Open Space and
Conservation Element
MEETING DATE: June 3, 2026
TO: Mayor and City Council
PREPARED BY: Fernando Herrera, Senior Planner
REVIEWED BY: Orlando Hernandez, Community Development Director APPROVED BY: Armando G. Villa, City Manager
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
1.Adopt a resolution approving General Plan Amendment (GPA) No. LR25-0148 amending the Open Space and Conservation Element of the City of Menifee’s General Plan to ensure compliance with Senate Bill 1425 and exempt GPA No. LR25-0148 from further environmental review.
DISCUSSION
On September 30, 2022, Senate Bill (SB) 1425 required cities and counties to review and update the Open Space Element of their General Plans to address equitable access to open space, climate resilience and other co-benefits of open space, and rewilding opportunities. SB 1425 mandated that every city and county in California review and update their open-space plans by January 1, 2026. The update must include plans and an action program, as required by Section 65564, that address:
•Access to open space for all residents in a manner that considers social, economic, and racial equity, correlated with the environmental justice element or environmental justice policies in the general plan, as applicable;
•Climate resilience and other co-benefits of open space, correlated with the safety element; and,
•Rewilding opportunities, correlated with the Land Use element. “Rewilding” per this bill refers to opportunities to preserve, enhance, and expand an integrated network of open space to support beneficial uses, such as habitat, recreation, natural resources, historic and tribal resources, water management, and aesthetics. Rewilding can also be accomplished by establishing a natural communities conservation plan to provide for coordinated mitigation of the impacts of new development.
City of Menifee Staff Report
GPA for the Open Space and Conservation Element
June 3, 2026
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Although the Open Space and Conservation Element already established pathways to provide residents with equitable access to open space, the City determined it was prudent to use this opportunity to further expand upon those provisions and incorporate additional considerations and guidance outlined in SB 1425.
Proposed New Goals and Policies
In response to the requirements of SB 1425, the City has updated the Open Space and Conservation Element of the General Plan to incorporate additional goals and policies that strengthen climate resilience, environmental equity, and long-term ecological health. The update builds upon existing sections of the Element by adding targeted policies, while introducing a new Climate Resiliency section to address emerging climate-related challenges. The following policies were added to existing sections under the Goals and Policies of the Open Space and Conservation Element:
Parks and Recreation (Existing Section)
•Policy OSC-1.11: Promote accessibility and inclusivity in park facilities and programs through universal design and diverse community-responsive activities.
Recreational Trails (Existing Section)
•Policy OSC-2.9: Work with developers and property owners to ensure that new developments provide trails that connect with the larger network.
Biological (Existing Section)
•Policy OSC-8.9: Implement urban rewilding to reintroduce natural processes, restore natural ecosystems, and promote biodiversity.
•Policy OSC-8.10: Prioritize rewilding in areas that enhance or create new habitat linkages and corridors for wildlife movement.
A new Climate Resiliency section was added to the Open Space and Conservation Element to address climate adaptation and mitigation through the use of open space and green infrastructure.
Climate Resiliency (New Section)
•Goal OSC-11: Strengthen Menifee’s resilience to climate change by using open space as a natural system for hazard mitigation, heat reduction, and ecological health, while ensuring equitable access to climate-resilient public spaces. •Policy OSC-11.1: Prioritize the preservation and restoration of undeveloped open spaces and natural areas that multi-benefit climate services, including flood protection, carbon sequestration, heat reduction, and habitat connectivity, particularly in underserved areas.
•Policy OSC-11.2: Support the development of vertical greenery, and other integrated green infrastructure that enhances biodiversity and reduces energy use.
City of Menifee Staff Report
GPA for the Open Space and Conservation Element
June 3, 2026
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•Policy OSC-11.3: Encourage the use of “green streets” that incorporate native vegetation, permeable surfaces, tree canopies, shaded areas, and stormwater features to enhance habitat and reduce runoff.
•Policy OSC-11.4: Prioritize the use of native, drought-tolerant, and climate-resilient vegetation in existing parks and landscaped open spaces to enhance habitat value, reduce water demand, and support pollinators.
•Policy OSC-11.5: Work with developers and property owners to establish and expand a trail network for biking, walking, and running to encourage alternative methods of transportation that reduce emissions and promote public health.
•Policy OSC-11-6: Utilize building materials and methods that will minimize energy and water usage including prioritizing local building materials. •Policy OSC-11-7: Preserve open space to establish barriers and transitions between natural open space and the built environment.
In addition to these new goals and policies there was additional clarifying language that was added to the background documents of the Element to improve alignment with SB 1425. No changes were needed to the Safety Element as the changes required to address climate resiliency were already in place in the existing Safety Element. By approving these new goals, policies, and modifications to the existing Open Space and Conservation Element, the City will better meet the intent and requirements of SB 1425.
History
On August 15, 2025, the City of Menifee initiated General Plan Amendment (GPA) No. LR25- 0148 to update the Open Space and Conservation Element of the General Plan. The tribes were noticed and consultation was held with those who requested it. The proposed changes were presented to the Parks, Recreation & Trails Commission on February 5, 2026. On April 2026 the Riverside County Airport Land Use Commission also found that the changes were consistent with the 2014 March Air Reserve Base/Inland Port Land Use Compatibility Plan. On April 8, 2026 the City of Menifee Planning Commission held a duly noticed public hearing and considered all public testimony as well as all materials in the staff report and accompanying documents for GPA No.
LR25-0148, which hearing was publicly noticed on March 27, 2026. After a presentation from staff the Commission voted 5-0 to recommend to the City Council the approval of GPA No. LR25-0148 and find that no further environmental review is required.
Environmental Determination
Staff has reviewed the proposed GPA in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines and has determined that the GPA is exempt from the requirements of CEQA because it would not “result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment” (CEQA Guidelines section 15060(c)(2)); and under the “common sense exemption” (CEQA Section 15601(b)(3)) as it can be seen with certainty there is no possibility the City of Menifee Staff Report
GPA for the Open Space and Conservation Element
June 3, 2026
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proposed GPA will have a significant impact on the environment. This is because the project will not involve any physical improvements or changes to the environment.
Findings
Findings for approval of GPA No. LR25-0148 are included in the attached Resolution.
Public Notice
The proposed GPA was noticed on May 24, 2026 for the June 3, 2026 City Council hearing. The public notice was published in The Press Enterprise. Notices were also mailed to anyone requesting a notice.
STRATEGIC PLAN OBJECTIVE
Thriving Economy
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with the recommended action.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution – GPA
2. Exhibit A – Open Space and Conservation Element Amendment
3. Exhibit B – Open Space and Conservation Background Document Amendment
4. Public Hearing Notice