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03.11.26 OSBT Packet Appendix A Revised Item 5AAppendix A. Selected BVCP Policies with Relevance to Open Space Updated 3.4.26 to incorporate revisions included in the preliminary draft of the Plan posted for public comment on 3.3.26. 2. City and County Collaboration The city and county collaborate to implement shared goals described in this plan and other respective adopted policies and plans and mitigate cross-jurisdictional impacts. 5. Boulder Valley Planning Areas The city and county establish the joint vision for urban growth and rural preservation within the Boulder Valley through a framework of defined Planning Areas. For these purposes, the Service Area is defined as Area I-Urban Lands and Area 2-Urban Edge: a) Area 1-Urban Lands – refers to land within the city of Boulder that is currently or planned to be served by the full range of urban facilities and services and where new urban development can occur. b) Area 1-Open Lands – refers to publicly owned land within the City of Boulder where new urban development is not supported by the plan and is intended to remain rural in character. Limited facilities and services may be provided if consistent with the goals and policies of this plan. May also include publicly owned property with a full range of services included in the city of Boulder for health, welfare and safety reasons. c) Area 2-Urban Edge – refers to unincorporated Boulder County lands where annexation to the city is supported the plan. New urban development is not supported, and the full range of urban services will not be provided by the city. Limited facilities and services may be provided if consistent with this plan. d) Area 3-Rural Preservation – refers to land within unincorporated Boulder County that is intended to remain rural in character. New urban development is not supported, and this area will not be served by the full range of urban facilities and services. Annexation to the city is not allowed except in limited circumstances as described by this plan. e) Area 3-Planning Reserve – refers to land within unincorporated Boulder County that may be considered for future expansion of the Service Area per the policies of this plan and procedures included in the intergovernmental agreement between the city and county. 19. Land Use Regulations Compliance The city and county abide by existing applicable land use regulations, where reasonably practicable, when owning and operating public facilities in the other’s jurisdiction. 22. Open Space Preservation and Stewardship The city and county preserve lands with open space value by purchasing or accepting donations of fee simple interests, conservation easements or development rights and other measures as appropriate and financially feasible. The city and county steward these lands to ensure ongoing protection, maintaining their open space values into the future. 23. Rural Land Preservation The city and county preserve rural land uses and character in the Boulder Valley including natural settings and ecosystems, hazard areas, agriculturally significant lands, vistas, significant cultural and historic resources and established rural residential areas. 30. Urban Natural Infrastructure The city promotes and maintains a network of high-quality natural infrastructure including waterways, open lands, parks, urban tree canopy, and plant and habitat corridors to integrate environmental, social, health and recreation functions. 31. Historic and Cultural Resources Preservation The city and county identify, evaluate, designate, and steward historic places, archaeological resources, and cultural landscapes, including associated intangible cultural heritage such as traditions, practices, knowledge, and living relationships to place. Through policies and programs, the city and county elevate diverse stories that foster a shared sense of belonging and help the community understand where it has been, where it is, and where it is going. In collaboration with departments and community partners, historic and cultural resource stewardship supports a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient future that reflects and honors the full diversity of the Boulder Valley community. 32. Healthy Ecosystems The city and county sustain healthy ecosystems and biodiversity within the valley, by integrating ecological values into planning and land management. The city and county recognize that active and intentional restoration and management of lands with potential ecological value can result in significant future benefits to the Boulder Valley. 33. Wetland and Riparian Protection The city and county recognize wetlands and riparian areas as vital ecological and community assets. The city and county have programs that identify, improve, restore and protect the value of wetlands and riparian areas in the Boulder Valley. The city strives for no net loss of wetlands and riparian areas in the Boulder Valley through the city’s wetland regulations that discourage development in wetlands and provide guidance on minimizing and mitigating any impacts. 34. Climate Action The city and county prioritize climate action that addresses the need to reduce the production of climate warming emissions while growing the community’s resilience and adaptive capacity, preparing people, buildings, infrastructure and natural systems for changing conditions. The city will advance equity and climate justice by prioritizing support for those most affected by climate impacts. 35. Environmental Design in Public Projects The city and county plan and design public buildings, facilities and infrastructure to integrate nature-based solutions and natural infrastructure elements that enhance natural systems, increase biodiversity, increase resilience to wildfire, reduce urban heat, increase energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions, improve water use efficiency, manage stormwater and provide health and social benefits for community members. 36. Boulder Valley Biodiversity The city and county recognize that community well-being and environmental health are interdependent. The city and county consider the protection and enhancement of biodiversity in decision-making, ensuring that future policies, programs and projects contribute to the long- term health and resilience of local ecosystems and urban settings that may benefit from a diversity of both native and non-native species. The city and county further support biodiversity through the preservation of rural lands and open space to reduce the fragmentation of landscapes and maintain larger connected ecosystems. 38. Stormwater & Drainageways Integrated Management The city manages stormwater and flood risk through a comprehensive approach that emphasizes site-level drainage practices and the safe conveyance of flows through Boulder Creek and its tributaries. Urban development incorporates stormwater practices, such as natural infrastructure, that slow, store, and treat runoff at the source. 39. Greenway Preservation and Management The city preserves and manages greenways to manage and mitigate flooding, support multifunctional landscapes and ecosystem services, protect cultural resources and offer recreation and multi-use transportation amenities. 40. Nature-Based Urban Cooling and Heat Management The city enhances and maintains tree canopy, healthy vegetation, and other cooling strategies to reduce the impacts of extreme heat. Efforts to improve or increase cooling and heat management strategies will prioritize vulnerable populations while balancing the need for wildfire risk reduction and water conservation. 41. Water Quality Protection and Improvement The city and county protect and improve water quality within the Boulder Creek Watershed. Both entities prioritize source water protection and watershed planning efforts to protect creeks and reservoirs for drinking water, aquatic life and recreation. The city will pursue wastewater treatment processes to achieve water quality improvements, energy efficiencies and resource recovery, including biosolids reuse. 42. Water Resources Planning City water resource planning efforts consider climate change, have a regional perspective and use a variety of strategies, including water conservation, infrastructure improvements, water leasing and water acquisition, to meet municipal uses and open space and agricultural goals. The city seeks to achieve the water supply reliability criteria through water supply and demand management while balancing in-stream flow maintenance and preservation of sustainable agriculture. The city seeks to minimize or mitigate the environmental, agricultural and economic impacts of any necessary water rights acquisitions, including avoiding the permanent removal of land from agricultural production due to conversion of agricultural water to municipal and industrial uses. 43. Invasive Species Management The city and county work to prevent and manage the introduction and spread of invasive plant and animal species that pose a risk to native species/communities, public health and/or ecosystem health. Management strategies are chosen that minimize impacts on human health, the environment, and non-target organisms, and protect overall biodiversity and ecosystem health. The city uses integrated pest management and other best practices to protect biodiversity and deliver critical ecosystem services while balancing ecological integrity with human safety and community need. 44. Urban Wildlife – Human Conflicts Management The city and county partner with state and federal agencies to promote wildlife and land use management practices that minimize human conflicts with wildlife while conserving, restoring, and connecting habitat in the Boulder Valley. When a wildlife species is identified as a nuisance or public health concern, the city and county will partner with state and federal agencies to use a range of humane, effective, cost-conscious, and ecologically responsible management approaches. 45. Consideration of Hazards The city and county consider hazards that present a danger to life and property like flood, wildfire, steep slopes, erosion, unstable soil, subsidence or similar geological development constraints when analyzing proposals for development. The city carefully regulates urban development and redevelopment in these areas to mitigate risks and avoid hazards to the extent reasonably practicable. 46. Floodplain Management The city and county protect people and property from the impacts of flooding through implementation of high priority flood mitigation projects, while considering equity, ecosystem impacts and climate change, and through outreach and education to improve community preparedness. Floodways will be preserved or restored, where feasible, to protect natural functions, major drainageways will be appropriately maintained and infrastructure in the floodplain will be made more resilient to climate change. 47. Air Quality Protection The city and county seek to reduce emissions and improve both indoor and outdoor air quality to protect public health, enhance community well-being, and support climate goals. Strategies should pursue local and regional solutions to address everyday pollutants as well as acute risks such as wildfire smoke. 48. Fossil Fuel Consumption & GHG Emissions Reduction The city and county innovate and act to reduce fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions to improve public health, strengthen community resilience and meet climate goals. The city will advance renewable energy generation and efficiency, sustainable transportation, sustainable land management and land planning practices that lower carbon emissions while supporting equity and economic vitality. 61. Experiential Economy The city supports a thriving experiential economy that enhances cultural life, strengthens local business, and contributes to a resilient community. Arts, culture, heritage, dining, entertainment, events and historic places attract visitors, create jobs and enliven neighborhoods. The city will support efforts that expand opportunity, reduce barriers for arts and culture businesses and reinforce the role of arts and culture in economic diversity and cultural identity. 85. Disasters and Public Health Risks The city and county collaborate with local, regional and state partners to avoid, mitigate, respond to and recover from natural and man-made disasters and public and environmental health risks. Following disruptions or disaster, the city and county facilitate a supportive and efficient response and recovery. 86. Fire Adapted Communities The city and county are committed to creating and sustaining a fire adapted community through a coordinated, region-wide approach to wildfire resilience and prevention throughout the Boulder Valley. Strategies will address the full spectrum of wildfire risk while enhancing public safety, promoting equitable protection and supporting efficient and effective response and recovery. 89. Nature Everywhere The city supports the creation, care and activation of accessible nature spaces throughout the community, affording equitable opportunities to live, learn and play in nature to all community members. 90. Trail and Path Networks The city and county work to provide trail and path systems with connectivity to the regional network and neighboring communities. The city and county coordinate with each other, other providers and private landowners in trail and path system planning, design, construction, management, maintenance, and programming. Trail and path connections will be developed to enhance local access and overall function of the network. 91. Local Food Production and Access The city and county support farms, businesses, nonprofits, and programs throughout the region that grow, produce, process, clean and sell fresh local food. The city and county recognize the importance of a local food system that provides nutritious and culturally appropriate local foods and will facilitate greater community access to these products. 92. Urban Agriculture The city supports urban agriculture, including greenhouses, in community and private spaces to increase food security, extend growing capacity in Boulder’s climate, and promote equitable access to healthy, locally grown foods. 93. Infrastructure for Local Food Systems The city supports expanding opportunities for facilities that sustain and grow the local food system, including cold storage, processing, greenhouses, commercial kitchens and retail sites. 94. Agricultural Water Delivery The city and county recognize that irrigation is essential to sustain agricultural production and the ecological health of natural and working lands in the Boulder Valley and that a functional and well-maintained water delivery system is the backbone of irrigation. The city and county support and encourage investment in and improvement of irrigation water delivery infrastructure and systems to minimize water losses and to support long-term agricultural and environmental health. 95. Sustainable and Regenerative Agricultural Practices The city and county support and promote sustainable and regenerative agricultural practices on publicly-owned lands and encourage such practices on private lands. The city and county will collaborate with the agricultural community to employ and improve practices that integrate ecological conservation, enhanced soil health, responsible water use, water quality protection, biodiversity and humane treatment of livestock. 96. Agriculture Workforce Support An agricultural workforce is critical to sustaining agriculture and a local food system. The city and county encourage training, apprenticeship and skill development programs. The city and county support exploring options to increase housing opportunities and transportation options for agriculture workers and land stewards in the Boulder Valley. 97. Community Engagement The city is committed to meaningful, inclusive, and equitable engagement of all community members to lead to better decision-making and outcomes. The city supports elevating youth engagement and input in long-range policy making as they may be disproportionately affected by decisions that take decades to realize. The city recognizes there are communities that have been historically excluded from engagement and influence, and enhanced efforts and resources are needed to include them and create belonging in government decision-making. The city supports volunteer programs that engage community members in activities to improve the Boulder Valley and participate in addressing local issues. 98. Federally Recognized American Tribal Consultation The city supports actions that encourage understanding and appreciation of American Indian Tribal Nations, their traditions, culture and our shared history in these ancestral lands known as the Boulder Valley. The city respects Tribal sovereignty and self-determination and follows federal and state consultation guidelines. The city follows a formal government-to-government consultation process to receive input on important topics with Tribal Nations. 99. Engagement with Local Indigenous Peoples The city and county acknowledge that local Indigenous community members face distinct hardships and barriers rooted in historic and ongoing inequities. Their voices, knowledge, and priorities are central to shaping a more inclusive and just future for the Boulder Valley. The city and county are committed to strengthening and improving ongoing engagement with these community members in planning and decision-making processes.