The Calvert County Commissioners unanimously approved participation in a joint land use study (JLUS) involving several other counties and Patuxent Naval Air Station (PAX NAS).
Greg Bowen, Calvert’s former director of the Department of Planning and Zoning, presented the JLUS plan to the commissioners Tuesday, Feb. 28. Bowen is now the regional planner for the Tri-County Council of Southern Maryland. That organization has been coordinating efforts to get the study underway.
“As land surrounding military installations is developed over time and as operations on those installations have expanded, the potential for encroachment or adverse effects of the military operations upon the local communities, or the potential for encroachments or adverse effects of the growth of the local communities upon military operations often becomes apparent,” stated Department of Planning and Zoning Director Chuck Johnston in a memo to the commissioners.
The U.S. Department of Defense’s Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA), according to Johnston, has determined the PAX NAS has an opportunity to study potential land use and operational conflicts and provide potential solutions.
Bowen cited noise as one component of the perceived encroachment PAX NAS might pose for residents in Southern Maryland and several Eastern Shore counties. In addition to all of those jurisdictions, Bowen indicated two counties located in Virginia’s Northern Neck are also being asked to participate in the JLUS.
In turn, Bowen mentioned wind turbines as a component of the perceived encroachment the community could have on the base since the devices have been known to have a negative impact on radar equipment.
According to Johnston’s memo, the finished study, “while non-binding, will chart a way forward that will allow for compatible growth while supporting military training and operational missions.”
The Southern Maryland counties are being asked to provide a 10 percent match to any OEA grant funds awarded for the JLUS.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com
