Ocean County to lead joint land use study

Long a staunch supporter of Navy Lakehurst and its operations, the Ocean County Board of Freehold-ers is now preparing to work with the Joint Base and surrounding communities on studying land use issues.

"Ocean County government has had a strong relationship with Navy Lakehurst and we have worked closely with the base to make sure it remains viable for both homeland security and the economic benefits it provides to the region," Freeholder Director John P. Kelly said. "Now that it is part of the joint base installation with McGuire Air Force Base and Fort Dix, we want to continue that relationship.

"By taking the lead in the joint land use study, Ocean County will work in concert with all the bases, Burlington County, surrounding communities and state and federal agencies to develop a land use plan that is beneficial to all those involved," Kelly said.

The United States Department of Defense is offering a grant to perform a Joint Land Use Study around the three military bases in central New Jersey. The project would involve representatives from Ocean County, Burlington County, the state Pinelands Commission, the New Jersey Office of Smart Growth and surrounding municipalities, according to a press release from the freeholders.

"This study would provide us with a regional approach to land use as it affects the military bases and the surrounding communities," said Freeholder Gerry P. Little, who serves as liaison to the Ocean County Planning Department. "The benefits of this study would include looking at the needs of the military bases and the needs of the surrounding communities and working together to merge those needs."

While land acquisition and preservation are important components of a Joint Land Use Study, equal attention is paid to compatible uses, which would support base operations, the freeholders said.

"We are aware that encroachment has long been an issue that could have a negative impact on base operations," Kelly said. "This study would certainly take a look at that and provide all those involved with recommendations suitable for the bases, the towns and the other agencies involved."

Military bases with a completed Joint Land Use Study also receive a higher priority for land acquisition funds and are better protected from future base closing decisions, according to the press release.

According to David McKeon, director of the Ocean County Planning Depart-ment, the grant offered by the Depart-ment of Defense would primarily fund a professional consultant to work with participants and develop a report which analyzes current and future noise and accident zones; identifies properties for open space acquisitions; recommends zoning changes compatible with base operations; and recommends on-base measures to minimize impact on the surrounding communities.

Ocean County is expected to provide about $30,000 as the local match toward the study while the Department of Defense would provide 90 percent of the project cost which could run from $250,000 to about $300,000.

The Department of Defense has already approved the McGuire-Lakehurst-Fort Dix joint base for a Joint Land Use Study. The award of the grant is dependent upon the selection of a local sponsor to manage the grant, coordinate the process and oversee progress on the study, according to the press release.

"Ocean County's Planning Depart-ment has the expertise to work with the towns and other agencies in concert to develop a meaningful study with recommendations that will be beneficial to all those involved," Little said.

The freeholders were expected to authorize the study application during their March 21 meeting.