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Open Space advisory committee outlines 2024 accomplishments, urges public outreach on 2026 urban limit-line vote
Summary
Bob Peoples, chair of the Open Space Advisory Committee, presented the committee's 2024 annual report to the San Ramon Parks and Community Services Commission, highlighting wildfire risk, a 2026 county referendum on the urban limit line, the committee's 8,700-acre inventory and a trails master plan underway.
Bob Peoples, chair of the city's Open Space Advisory Committee, presented the committee's 2024 annual report to the San Ramon Parks and Community Services Commission on March 12, summarizing outreach, stewardship work and priorities for 2025.
The report reviews last year's work on mapping and protecting open space in and adjacent to San Ramon, wildfire preparedness, funding questions and partnerships with regional agencies. Peoples stressed the committee's emphasis on stewardship and public education ahead of a key county action: a planned ballot measure to extend the county's urban limit line in 2026.
Why it matters: The county's urban limit line, which is set to expire in 2026, helps define where new development can occur. Committee members said an extension of that limit is a major tool for preserving open space that affects San Ramon's views, trails and wildfire risk.
Peoples told commissioners the committee identified about 8,700 acres of open space in a 2022 vision document and will review the status of protection for those parcels in 2025. He said roughly a third of that acreage already had protection beyond zoning, a third had some protection, and a third lacked protection beyond zoning.
"We want to facilitate stewardship and use or access to open space, appropriate use and access to open space," Peoples said during his presentation.
The committee also described recent and ongoing activity on wildfire and risk. Peoples said CAL FIRE released an updated fire hazard severity map for the Bay Area on Feb. 24, and the committee received briefings from the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District and county staff about wildfire threats and response. He said the committee intends to continue tracking proposals aimed at making fire an ally in landscape management rather than an uncontrolled hazard.
Commissioners asked about public education and outreach related to the county's planned 2026 referendum to extend the urban limit line. Commissioner Dorlick asked how the committee and the city would inform residents about the measure and its implications; Peoples said the committee planned to hear county staff at an upcoming meeting and would discuss ways to help publicize and explain the referendum.
Commissioner Ozeland pressed for more detail about specific parcels under negotiation; Peoples said committee members were aware of some active acquisition discussions but declined to identify landowners or precise locations because negotiations are sensitive. He noted that open space acquisition is typically a multi-year process that depends on landowner willingness and partnership funding from entities such as East Bay Regional Park District and local land trusts.
The committee listed planned 2025 work including: continued review of funding for open-space preservation and stewardship; engaging with county staff and the public about the urban limit line extension; reviewing the status of the 8,700-acre vision parcels; and assisting staff on the city's trails master plan.
Peoples and commissioners emphasized outreach activities already underway: hikes led by committee members, participation in the city's Art and Wind Festival and public 'non-hike' events intended to increase resident engagement.
The presentation was informational; the Parks Commission received the report and did not take formal action on the item.
