Dyess AFB Joint Land Use Study Overview

What Is a Joint Land Use Study?

A Joint Land Use Study (JLUS) is a cooperative planning effort conducted as a joint venture between an active military installation, surrounding jurisdictions, state and federal agencies, and other affected stakeholders to address compatibility around military installations. The Dyess Air Force Base (AFB) JLUS is funded by a grant from the Department of Defense Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA) and contributions by the JLUS sponsor, City of Abilene, Texas. The JLUS effort can directly benefit both Dyess AFB and the surrounding region by:

• Protecting the health and safety of surrounding residents and workers;
• Preserving long-term land use compatibility between Dyess AFB and the surrounding communities;
• Promoting community planning that addresses compatibility issues;
• Enhancing cooperation between Dyess AFB and community officials; and
• Integrating surrounding local jurisdiction growth policy plans with the installation’s plans.

What Are the JLUS Objectives?

The goal of a JLUS is to reduce potential conflicts between military installations and surrounding areas while accommodating new growth and economic development, sustaining economic vitality, protecting public health and safety, and protecting the operational missions of Dyess AFB. JLUS programs have three core objectives:

UNDERSTANDING. Increase communication between the military, local jurisdictions, and other stakeholders to promote an understanding of the strong economic and physical relationship between Dyess AFB and its neighbors.

COLLABORATION. Promote collaborative planning between the military, local jurisdictions, and other stakeholders in order to ensure a consistent approach in addressing compatibility issues.

ACTIONS. Develop and implement strategies for reducing the impacts of existing and future incompatible activities on the community and military operations.

What Will The Dyess AFB JLUS Address?

The Dyess AFB JLUS will provide stakeholders with:

• A land use assessment for surrounding potential growth areas;
• A baseline of existing incompatible land uses around the installation;
• An assessment of regional and local growth trends;
• A plan to assist surrounding communities in making informed decisions regarding compatibility; and
• Recommendations and strategies to promote compatible land use planning around Dyess AFB and within the surrounding communities.

What Is Compatibility?

Compatibility, in relation to military readiness, can be defined as the balance and / or compromise between community and military needs and interests. The goal of compatibility planning is to promote an environment where both entities can coexist successfully. Study Area data on existing conditions obtained from the Policy Committee, Technical Advisory Committee, and public workshops will be analysed to identify current and future compatibility issues. This analysis will also identify the influence of regulatory measures on land use decisions and will consider existing and projected development trends within the Study Area. The JLUS will assess a set of 25 compatibility factors to identify all pertinent issues.

What Are JLUS Recommendations?

JLUS recommendations may involve revisions to the communities' comprehensive plans and traditional land use and development controls, such as zoning, subdivision regulations, building codes, and so forth. Additional actions may include land exchanges, transfer of development rights, and real estate disclosure.

How Have Past JLUS's Been Successful?

Previous JLUS's have shown a high success rate. The JLUS effort can directly benefit military installations and neighboring communities by

• Protecting the health, safety, and welfare of residents living or working near military installations.
• Preserving long-term land use compatibility between the installation and the surrounding community.
• Promoting comprehensive community planning.
• Encouraging a cooperative spirit between the local base command and local community officials.
• Integrating the local jurisdictions' comprehensive plans with the installation's plans.