This leads to trust building and better relationships between the disputing parties. By shifting the focus from personalities and emotions to rational considerations of facts, issues, and possible new solutions, the mediator increases the chances of reaching a mutually beneficial settlement. This is simply a written document specifying what will be done by each party to implement the solution to the dispute. The Georgia Planning Act provides for mediation as a way to resolve disputes between two or more local governments over comprehensive planning, developments of regional impacts, regionally important resources, and Environmental planning. Benefits of Mediation Even a small court battle can put severe financial strain on the average city or county budget, and can absorb the time and energy of staff and elected officials for protracted periods of time.
Mediation is a far less expensive and more constructive alternative.
Lawsuits, by comparison, tend to produce winners, losers, and lingering bitterness. If mediation doesn't work, litigation can still be pursued. By trying mediation, the parties will have aired some of the underlying issues that might not be resolved by a lawsuit. In addition, they will come away with a better understanding of the impacts of their actions on their neighbors. Process for Using Mediation To initiate formal mediation, a local government must file a petition with the RDC within 20 days of the completion of the RDC's review of the relevant local plan.