WHAT IS A JOINT LAND USE STUDY?
A Joint Land Use Study (JLUS) is a cooperative land-use planning effort conducted as a joint venture between an active military installation and the surrounding communities. The JLUS collaboration is funded through the Department of Defense (DoD) and Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA). This project is being administered locally by the Plaquemines Parish Government, Office of Economic Development.

WHAT ARE THE STUDY’S OBJECTIVES?
The primary objective of a JLUS is to promote compatible community growth, while supporting the military training and operational missions of the installation. JLUS programs have three core objectives:
  • UNDERSTANDING. Increase communication between the military, local jurisdictions, and stakeholders to promote an understanding of the strong economic and physical relationship between the installation and its neighbors.
  • COLLABORATION. Promote collaborative planning between the military, local jurisdictions, and stakeholders in order to safeguard the mission of the installation from future incompatible development.
  • ACTIONS. Develop and implement strategies for reducing the impacts of incompatible activities on the community and military operations. Devise tools to support compatibility of land use implementation in the future.
HOW LONG WILL THE PROJECT TAKE?
The NAS JRB New Orleans JLUS is expected to be completed by October 2010.

HOW WILL THE PROJECT BE UNDERTAKEN?
The project will be completed in the multiple phases that are built upon each other:
  • Project Start/Initiation
  • Data Collection
  • Outreach and Communication
  • Analysis and Mapping
  • Analysis of Land Uses and Potential Conflicts with Military Missions
  • Preparation of Recommendations
WHAT ARE THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUBLIC INPUT?
The public can be involved in the development of the JLUS by providing input and guidance to the process by informing the representatives of the project Policy and Technical Committees of their issues and recommendations, submitting comments and feedback online using the interactive JLUS website, and attending future public meetings (dates for which can be found on the Meetings & Minutes page of this website.).

WHO WILL GUIDE THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE JLUS?
Two committees, comprised of Parish, military, and other stakeholders will guide the development of the JLUS. These committees include:
  • Technical Committee. This committee includes representatives from the Jefferson and Plaquemines Parishes, the installation, different agencies and the community. This group identifies and addresses technical issues, provides feedback on report development, and assists in the development and evaluation of potential implementation strategies and tools.
  • Policy Committee. This committee is responsible for leading the direction of the JLUS and monitoring the implementation and adoption of policies and strategies by local governments and others.
WHAT WILL THE NAS JRB NEW ORLEANS JLUS ADDRESS?
The NAS JRB New Orleans JLUS will provide all stakeholders:
  • A detailed land use assessment for surrounding areas.
  • A baseline of existing incompatible land uses around the installation.
  • A plan to assist Plaquemines and Jefferson Parish with future development approvals and decision-making.
  • Recommendations and strategies to promote compatible land use planning within a defined area around the NAS JRB New Orleans installation.
WHAT ARE EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JLUS RECOMMENDATIONS?
The recommendations of the JLUS are advisory, they offer guidance to local planning and zoning efforts. Examples of JLUS recommendations include revisions to the communities’ comprehensive plan and traditional land use and development controls, such as zoning, subdivision regulations, structural height restrictions, and promotion of planned unit development concepts. Additional actions seen in other areas may include amending local building codes to require increased sound attenuation in existing and new buildings, land exchanges, transfer of development rights, and real estate disclosure. Measures identified for implementation will be examined for their compatibility with local laws.

HOW HAVE JLUS EFFORTS IN OTHER COMMUNITIES BEEN SUCCESSFUL?
JLUS efforts have been developed in most military communities, including many on the Gulf Coast. These have shown a high success rate. The JLUS effort can directly benefit both the installation and host community by:
  • Protecting the health and safety 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.
WHAT IS COMPATIBILITY?
Compatibility, in relationship to military readiness, can be defined as the balance and/or compromise between community and military needs and interests. The goal of compatibility is to promote an environment where both can coexist successfully. Study area data on existing conditions obtained during the Technical and Policy Committee meetings will be analyzed to identify future compatibility issues.