1.1.
The area around Keesler AFB continues to experience economic growth and
development. Several jurisdictions surrounding Keesler AFB participated as
partners in this JLUS including the cities of Biloxi and D’Iberville, and Harrison
County.
What is a Joint Land Use Study?
A JLUS is a planning process accomplished through the collaborative efforts of
stakeholders in a defined study area to identify compatible land uses and
growth management guidelines within, and adjacent to, an active military
installation. These stakeholders include local community, state, and federal
officials, residents, business owners, federal resource agencies and
landholders, nongovernmental organizations, and the military. The process is
intended to establish and encourage a working relationship among military
installations and proximate communities to prevent and / or reduce
encroachment issues associated with future mission expansion and local
growth. While one of the primary funders is the Department of Defense
(DoD), Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA), this JLUS is produced by and for
local communities and was also primarily funded by the Mississippi
Development Authority. The project sponsor and grant administrator for the
Keesler AFB JLUS is the City of Biloxi; the project is managed by the Gulf
Regional Planning Commission.
This JLUS is a proactive approach to mitigate existing compatibility issues and
prevent their development by strengthening coordination between local
communities, agencies, the public, and Keesler AFB. The JLUS provides an
organized communication effort between the cities of Biloxi and D’Iberville,
Harrison County, Keesler AFB, and other stakeholder entities that own or
manage land or resources in the region to ensure that future regional growth
is not only compatible with all Keesler AFB mission activities, but respects the
goals and aspirations of the host communities.
The Keesler AFB JLUS advocates for coordinated land use planning, policy and
regulation, conservation and natural resource management, infrastructure
investments, and other common issues affecting the study area communities
and the military. This Study seeks to avoid conflicts previously experienced by
the U.S. military and local communities by engaging the military and local
decision‐makers in a collaborative planning process.
JLUS Goals and Objectives
The goal of the Keesler AFB JLUS is to protect the viability of current and
future operations, while simultaneously guiding community growth, sustaining
the environmental and economic health of the region, and protecting public
health, safety, and welfare.
To help meet this goal, three primary guiding principles provide the
foundation for the JLUS effort:
Page 1‐2
Understanding. Convene community and military representatives to
identify, confirm, and understand compatibility issues and concerns in
an open forum, considering both the community and military
perspectives and needs. This includes increasing public awareness,
education, and opportunities for input organized in a cohesive outreach
program.
Background Report