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4. Open Space Zone and Environmental Protection

The Open Space Zone consists of 119 acres of land on CU Boulder South that is designated Open Space – Other (OS-O) in the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan.  Key terms relating to the Open Space Zone include:

  • Land for Open Space - CU Boulder will dedicate a portion (currently estimated at 44 acres) of the Open Space Zone as part of its 80-acre dedication noted in the previous question. The city will purchase the remaining 75 acres of land in the Open Space Zone.

  • Water Rights – In order to restore and manage 119 acres of the Open Space Zone, the university will convey 30.2 shares of Dry Creek Ditch #2 to the city in exchange for relief from irrigation-related Plant Investment Fees and for the city supplying credits for 140 acre-feet of irrigation water annually to the university, except during a drought emergency.

  • Protection of valuable wetlands and natural habitat – The university will comply with city wetland regulations and no habitable space, including offices and residential uses, will be constructed in the 500-year floodplain.

  • Mitigation Area - The city will design and construct a comprehensive environmental mitigation plan within the Open Space Zone to offset impacts elsewhere from the city’s flood mitigation project and university development.

  • Noise and Light Pollution – The university will comply with the city’s noise and outdoor lighting standards.

  • Wildlife Habitat Collaboration - The city and university will collaborate to restore and protect wildlife habitat and incorporate open space values, particularly relating to noise, lighting and other impacts to the adjacent State Natural Area.

  • Landscape Screening – The university and the city will plant trees and shrubs to screen buildings and built infrastructure in the Development Zone from viewsheds on city open space.

  • Levee Removal - At its expense, the city plans to remove the existing levee system in this area as part of the flood mitigation project. Removal of the levee system will aid in reconnecting the natural floodplain and promoting environmental connectivity. Some portion of the removed levee may be used for fill material in the Flood Control Zone.