(a)The application procedures established in Chapter 18-2 and Chapter 18-3 will be modified by this Chapter in cases where a Rezoning or Special Use application, or an annexation application respectively, fits the definition of a “development of regional impact.” Developments of regional impact will be processed according to procedures of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs as described in “Rules of Georgia Department of Community Affairs, Chapter 110-12-3, Developments of Regional Impact, effective July 1, 2001, as may be amended from time to time.
(b)When an application is received for development that meets or exceeds the thresholds established for that development type and thus constitutes a “development of regional impact” according to the aforementioned Rules of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, the city will follow the procedures identified in said administrative rules which are summarized here.
(c)When an application for a development of regional impact is received, the Director or their designee, on behalf of the city, will complete an “Initial DRI Information” form and a “DRI Review Initiation Request” form. Each of these two forms may be submitted to the Regional Development Center simultaneously, provided the city has all necessary project-related information.
(d)The city shall not take any official legislative or administrative action to advance or further a DRI project until the review process identified under the DRI review procedure specified in “Rules of Georgia Department of Community Affairs, Chapter 110-12-3, Developments of Regional Impact, Effective July 1, 2001,” as may be amended from time to time, is completed. The city may undertake preliminary staff administrative functions associated with a proposed DRI including, but not limited to, project evaluation/assessment, site visits, and placing consideration of the application on a future agenda for formal action, if required. The city shall not take any official action related to such a project until the DRI review process is completed and the city has had adequate time to consider the DRI review comments.
(e)After the DRI review process is completed, the city may proceed with whatever action it deems appropriate regarding the proposed project, although it is encouraged to take the public finding and additional comments into consideration as it makes its decision.
(f)If the project receives a negative public finding from the Regional Development Center and the city approves said project or takes action to advance said project, the city shall notify the Regional Development Center and the Georgia Department of Community Affairs of its action and identify all local requirements it has placed on the development that could mitigate any negative findings identified in the DRI review process.