Town of Kittery & Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Joint Land Use Study (JLUS)

JLUS Group Photo

JLUS Overview

The Town of Kittery is partnered with the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard to pursue a Joint Land Use Study (JLUS).  The Southern Maine Planning and Development Commission (SMPDC) will assist with the administration and implementation of the study.

For more information, visit SMPDC's website by clicking here.

What is a Joint Land Use Study (JLUS)?

A JLUS is a collaborative planning initiative undertaken by state or local government in partnership with the military installation, to protect and preserve military readiness and defense capabilities while supporting continued community growth and economic development. The grant helps regions address compatibility around military installations by reducing potential conflicts, fostering communication and cooperation, and promoting coordinated planning with surrounding communities.

Current Phase - JLUS Implementation Phase III

Southern Maine Regional Planning and Development Commission (SMPDC) has received a grant from Department of Defense Office of local Defense Community Cooperation (OLDCC) to continue its partnership with the Town of Kittery and the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNS) to lead the implementation of recommendations around transportation, housing, and communications from the 2019 Joint Land Use Study. 

The reports generated from Phase III, a housing needs assessment and a microtransit pilot service design, bring the region a step closer to implementing transportation and access improvements.

Phase III documents and materials can be found below.
 
Scope of Work

This grant will help fund a wide variety of implementation activities, including:

Micro-transit Service Design
  • A detailed service design model for a microtransit service to connect PNS employees to the Shipyard. Microtransit is a method of flexible transit that uses vehicles like shuttles to deliver transportation to the public, sometimes operated on-demand where vehicles are only dispatched when there is a ride requested. 

Multi-model Hub Design
  • Identify potential locations for multimodal hubs such as proposed or existing park and ride lots, or current or proposed sites for future mixed-use development. Renderings and cost estimates may also be developed for some sites incorporating a variety of infrastructure elements such as EV charging, bike storage, and transit parking and pick up locations.
Regional Housing and Transportation Analysis
  • An analysis of existing and projected housing demand, and identification of policy challenges to the creation of workforce housing in the region. The report will include achievable recommendations to help municipalities meet the challenges of increasing demand through zoning and other policy tools.
Climate Action Planning
  • Kittery will develop a Climate Action Plan that identifies priorities, actions, and a timeline for the town to address the impacts of climate change on the built and natural environment, public health, and community resources. The town will coordinate with the Shipyard to include key installation resilience challenges caused by increased flooding and impacts of severe weather.
Partnership Committee
  • The Partnership Committee, comprised of Kittery Town Staff, Shipyard Officials, SMPDC and NH Regional Planning Organizations, and other municipal, state and federal partners will encourage communication and collaboration between the Shipyard and the region’s municipalities to identify opportunities for intergovernmental agreements and bring additional resources to the region.

JLUS Documents & Materials

 
Phase I (Planning)

The JLUS Planning Phase was completed in 2019 and focused on transportation, workforce housing, and land use issues in the area surrounding the shipyard. The study resulted in recommendations to improve traffic congestion, climate and economic resiliency, and workforce housing challenges associated with the shipyard, the region’s largest employer. 

Phase II (Implementation)

In 2020, the Town of Kittery received a JLUS Implementation grant to begin taking action on the original recommendations. This grant brought a Urban Land Institute Technical Assistance panel to the region, assessed feasible transit options for commuters, and began conceptual designs for potential transportation hubs. 

In 2021, Shipyard officials, municipalities, and regional planning organizations in both New Hampshire and Maine formally established the JLUS Partnership by signing an MOU committing to the effort. The Partnership will regularly convene stakeholders to develop and implement strategies and tools designed to address challenges and opportunities identified through the JLUS planning process.

Phase III (Current Phase)

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