Area Land Use Study goes public

Published Oct. 25, 2007
By Brion Ockenfels
Tinker Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE -- The Association of Central Oklahoma Governments and its members are working on a new project to help ensure Tinker's missions stay strong and viable for future defense needs of the country. That was the key message as ACOG officials spoke during the first Joint Land Use Study public meeting held Oct. 18 at the Reed Center in Midwest City.
   Zach Taylor, ACOG executive director, said, "The land use study will encourage surrounding communities to consider local accommodations such as modified zoning ordinances, height and obstruction ordinances and continual communication between the base administration and the local governments to help reduce development conflicts and future incompatible land uses that could jeopardized Tinker's missions."
   As eastern Oklahoma County and the surrounding communities continue to develop around the base, questions about the best use of the land are being studied so that military operations, businesses and residents can all benefit from the growth.
   The ACOG encourages public participation and has developed multiple avenues for communication and set up a special Web site for citizens to learn more about the process and participate.
   Communities and entities near the base including Choctaw, Del City, Midwest City, Nicoma Park, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Spencer and Cleveland County could consider local accommodations for future development once the JLUS is completed.
   Col. Mona Lisa Tucker, 72nd Air Base Wing vice commander, thanked local residents and community leaders for attending.
   "We at Tinker think it's vitally important to support the community in this cooperative land use study about to take place between Tinker and the local communities," Colonel Tucker said. "This evening's event is another example of the strong and long history that we share with our local communities. This is the strongest and most mutually supportive relationship I've seen in my 22 years in the Air Force."
   Colonel Tucker said, "The JLUS is a great tool for our community planners, as a tool to study, it will encourage the use of local zoning ordinances and building codes that will also encourage compatible development and land uses which are vital to Tinker Air Force Base, our missions and to your communities."
   "We look forward to being part of the dialog," she said.
   The Department of Defense and local governments are both paying for the community based study to ensure the well-being of both military operations and business growth in the Tinker area.
   "This won't be the only public meeting planned as our communities engage in the JLUS process," said Mr. Taylor, "we'll have more."
   The land use study could take up to 15 months to complete, according to ACOG officials, with the next meeting tentatively set for early 2008.
   Mr. Taylor said citizens are encouraged to submit comments or questions by mail, fax or e-mail.
   Send comments or suggestions to: Association of Oklahoma Governments, 21 E. Main, Suite 100, Oklahoma City, OK 73104; fax to 234-2200, e-mail hmassie@acogok.org or go online to http://acogok.org/jlus/.