Nearly 70 area residents attended a public forum for the Indian Head Joint Land Use Study (JLUS), a cooperative land use planning effort underway between Naval Support Facility (NSF) Indian Head, the Town of Indian Head, and Charles County, on Wednesday evening, Jan. 28, 2015 at the Village Green Pavilion in Indian Head, MD. Included in the evening’s attendance were Town of Indian Head Mayor, Dennis Scheessele, and Naval Support Activity South Potomac Commanding Officer, CAPT Mary Feinberg.
The Indian Head JLUS is investigating how changes in land use around the installation could affect the Navy’s mission, as well as how current and future operations at the base may impact the surrounding areas. The purpose of the forum was to present information on the JLUS process and give community members an opportunity to share their thoughts on Navy operations and surrounding land use.
“The JLUS provides an open forum for dialogue between the community and NSF Indian Head to identify and resolve any issues,” says Project Manager Amy Blessinger, Charles County Department of Planning & Growth Management. “We are pleased with the interest the community has shown in the study; their input is vital.”
Topics discussed during the public forum included development, economic growth in the Town, the potential impact to the environment, and Navy operations. “The community appears to be very supportive and proud of NSF Indian Head,” said Blessinger. Feinberg stated that the Navy desires to remain good stewards, and the JLUS is an opportunity to “help us help you.”
“The Town and Naval Support Facility Indian Head have enjoyed a mutually supportive, good neighbor relationship for many decades. We want to continue to do that as we attract visitors and economic development. We are looking for the JLUS to help us provide goods and services supportive of our residents, visitors, and NSF Indian Head in a manner consistent with our goals and the mission of the base,” stated Mayor Scheessele.
Commissioner Debra M. Davis, Esq. (District 2), who serves on one of the JLUS planning committees said, “The JLUS is an important initiative to help ensure the Indian Head base and the community can continue to have an excellent relationship for many years to come. We welcome the public’s input, feedback, and ideas.”
Comments received during the public forum will be incorporated into the Indian Head JLUS. Citizens are also encouraged to provide input by taking the stakeholder survey posted on the Indian Head JLUS website, www.indianheadjlus.com.
Another public forum to discuss preliminary findings and recommendations is planned for spring.
If you were unable to attend the public forum and wish to learn more about the Indian Head Joint Land Use Study, visit www.indianheadjlus.com or contact Project Manager Amy Blessinger, Department of Planning & Growth Management, at 301-645-0650 or BlessingA@CharlesCountyMD.gov.
The Indian Head Joint Land Use Study is sponsored by Charles County and funded by a Department of Defense Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA) grant.