Infrastructure Development and Planning. The development of the
new Division Street main gate for Keesler AFB has the potential to
impact the surrounding neighborhood.
Potential for Incompatible Land Uses in Northern Accident Potential
Zones. The City of D’Iberville does not have Comprehensive Plan
policies of land development regulations to manage development
within the Accident Potential Zones associated with the Keesler AFB
airfield.
Lack of Safety Zones in Municipal Land Use Code. There are no safety
zones in the City of Biloxi’s Land Use Code.
Encroachment of Keesler AFB Natural Gas Line. A High Pressure
Natural Gas Line runs 12 miles from the City of Gulfport through the
City of Biloxi to Keesler AFB, traversing private properties including a
single‐family residence. Keesler AFB has no control over the easement
to ensure it remains free of encroachments.
Land / Air / Sea Spaces (LAS)
The military manages or uses land and air space to accomplish testing,
training, and operational missions. These resources must be available and of
a sufficient size, cohesiveness, and quality to accommodate effective training
and testing. Military and civilian air and sea operations can compete for
limited air and sea space, especially when the usage areas are in close
proximity to each other. Use of this shared resource can impact future
growth in operations for all users. The following Land / Air / Sea Spaces
issues were identified:
Shared Airspace with Recreational Aviation. Seaplane and helicopter
tours and other recreation activities that utilize airspace along the Gulf
of Mexico coastline, such as parasailing and unmanned aerial vehicles
can potentially cross the Keesler AFB approach flight paths, which
increases the risk for mishaps.
Sand Beach Authority Awareness of Flight Restrictions. While the
Harrison County Sand Beach Authority is responsible for the permitting
of vendors on Sand Beach, there may be a lack of awareness of the
flight restrictions proximate to Keesler AFB.
Land Use (LU)
The basis of land use planning and regulation relates to the government’s
role in protecting the public’s health, safety, and welfare. Local jurisdictions’
general plans and zoning ordinances can be the most effective tools for
preventing or resolving land use compatibility issues. These tools ensure the
separation of land uses that are incompatible in character. Land use
separation also applies where the use of one property may adversely impact
the use of another. For instance, industrial uses are often separated from
residential uses to avoid impacts from noise, odors, and lighting. The
following Land Use issues were identified:
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Light and Glare (LG)
This factor refers to man‐made lighting (street lights, airfield lighting, building
lights) and glare (direct or reflected light) that disrupts vision. Light sources
from commercial, industrial, recreational, and residential uses at night can
cause excessive glare and illumination, impacting the use of military night
vision devices and air operations. Conversely, high intensity light sources
generated from a military area (such as ramp lighting) may have a negative
impact on the adjacent community. The following Light and Glare issues
were identified:
Reflective Building Materials Causing Glint and Glare. Extensive use
of highly‐reflective building materials such as colored glass on
commercial developments can create glint and glare which can affect
pilot visibility and is of concern on aircraft approaches.
Reflective Materials from Solar Farms. Reflective panels on
large‐scale solar farm developments can create glint and glare which
can affect pilot visibility and is of concern on aircraft approaches. A
solar farm is proposed approximately five miles north of Keesler AFB.