GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- Between its economic impact and mutual aid agreements, The Hoosier Wing is often hailed as being a good steward to the local community.
To ensure those positive relations continue well into the future, Grissom is participating in a joint land use study.
A JLUS is a land use planning effort between military installations, affected local government and its citizens to provide policy recommendations for development measures designed to prevent urban encroachment.
“Compared to other military installations, Grissom is in excellent condition with regard to mission encroachment and sustainment challenges,” said Col. Larry Shaw, 434th Air Refueling Wing commander. “The JLUS is a proactive effort to safeguard Grissom’s future mission while continuing to protect public health, safety and welfare of those living near the base.”
Historically, as commercial and residential growth and development increase near military instillations, land use conflicts between base operations and civilian development also increase.
“The goal of the JLUS is to avoid those conflicts and create in advance policies for land use and development issues that may arise in the future,” said Greg Lipscomb, Grissom ARB base community planner.
The JLUS planning process began in June with a joint meeting of the steering committees, stakeholder interviews, and a public meeting. The project team also held a Stakeholder Awareness & Participation meeting with Grissom personnel.
“To date we have explained our mission to local military and stakeholders outside the fence and laid out the schedule for the remainder of the study,” said Lipscomb. “Through the JLUS, we want to define issues and create a recommended policy framework that public officials can use to guide development around the base.
“We work as an advisory tool by forming a working partnership between nearby municipalities and counties to develop policies and tools that protect the interest of citizens as well as military and air operations at Grissom,” added Lipscomb.
A JLUS has several different functions, but its primary purpose is helping a growing community harmoniously coexist with an active military installation.
“The JLUS is extremely important because it can be used to help protect the health and safety of residents living or working near the base,” explained Shaw. “It also preserves long-term land use compatibility between our installation and the surrounding communities ensuring we remain a good steward for years to come!”
The next JLUS public meeting will be held Oct. 10, 5:30 p.m. at the Milestone Event Center, 1458 Liberator St., Grissom Aeroplex, Peru, Indiana. The project consultant team will present the results of its data collection and analysis, information about existing and potential future land use compatibility issues, public survey results and other preliminary findings.
“The meeting is open to the public,” said Lipscomb. “Citizens are encouraged to attend not only to ensure their interests are protected, but also to provide additional insight into land development issues that might adversely affect the base or local community.”
The 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. Men and women from the Hoosier Wing routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission.
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