§ 40-783. Development of regional impact.

(a)

Applicability. This section shall apply when an applicant (industry, business, or developer) requests some type of local government action related to a project, such as, but not limited to, a request for rezoning, zoning variance, permit, hookup to a water or sewer system, master or site plan approval, or entering into a contract, and it appears that the proposed development (or, for multi-phased projects, the complete development) meets the thresholds of a development of regional impact, according to Rules of Georgia Department of Community Affairs, Chapter 110-12-3, Developments of Regional Impact, as may be amended from time to time.

(b)

Jurisdiction. If a proposed development project is to be located in more than one jurisdiction and, in total, the proposed development meets or exceeds a DRI threshold, the local government in which the largest portion of the project is to be located is responsible for initiating the DRI review process.

(c)

Procedures. The application procedures established in this article will be modified by this section in cases where a rezoning request, conditional use application, or other application described in this article fits the definition of the term "development of regional impact." Developments of regional impact will be processed according to procedures of the state department of Community Affairs as described in Rules of Georgia Department of Community Affairs, chapter 110-12-3, Developments of Regional Impact, as may be amended from time to time, including but not limited to the following:

(1)

The City will 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, 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.

(2)

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.

(3)

If the project receives a negative public finding from the regional commission and the City approves the project or takes action to advance the project, the City shall notify the regional commission and the state 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.

(Code 1997, § 40-1007; Ord. of 2-6-2012, § 1(40-1007))