Cape Cod Commission, JBCC Initiate Update to Joint Land Use Study
(JLUS) for Base and Surrounding Communities

Study to review military and community changes since 2005;
identify resource-sharing opportunities by March 2013

Aerial view of Joint Base Cape Cod (JBCC), 2010

Changes to military uses, future projects, and land use planning initiatives prompted the Massachusetts National Guard to nominate the Joint Base Cape Cod (JBCC) (JBCC) to the Department of Defense’s (DoD’s) Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA) to update the JBCC Joint Land Use Study (JLUS). The OEA manages the JLUS program, which provides technical and financial assistance to states and local governments to undertake activities that support compatible military-civilian land use and development. The DoD selected the Cape Cod Commission to prepare the 2012 JLUS update, based on the regional planning agency's history and expertise with land use planning and environmental protection work related to the 21,000-acre installation on the Upper Cape.

The towns of Bourne, Falmouth, Mashpee, Sandwich, and Barnstable surround the JBCC. The Cape Cod Commission will work with representatives from those towns in cooperation with the US Coast Guard, Massachusetts Army National Guard, and Massachusetts Air National Guard, a Policy Committee, and a Technical Advisory Committee to complete the JLUS update by the end of March 2013. The two committees collectively include town selectmen, administrators, planners, and planning board members, Barnstable County officials and staff, town and county emergency response personnel, and JBCC operations personnel.

The study will investigate opportunities for shared utility service delivery to reduce costs and manage community growth through the development of inter-governmental agreements. It will also review policies and procedures about potential alternative energy development both on and off the base.

“The Joint Land Use Study update provides a unique opportunity to engage the communities and the base in a dialogue about ways to share infrastructure and services,” says Cape Cod Commission Chief Planner Sharon Rooney, who will serve as the project manager for the study. “Through this process we hope to create efficiencies and reduce costs for such services.” Rooney also served as project manager for the 2005 study.

“As the JBCC Commands develop plans for the future, we want to keep our neighbors informed and involved,” says Col. Anthony Schiavi, Executive Director, JBCC and JLUS Policy Committee member.  “The JLUS is an excellent way to coordinate with stakeholders early in the planning process to avoid conflicts, create opportunities, and strengthen relationships.”

Learn more about the JLUS 2012 Update and follow its progress on the Cape Cod Commission’s web site