Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia › Department 110 - RULES OF GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS › Chapter 110-12 - MINIMUM STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES › Subject 110-12-3 - DEVELOPMENTS OF REGIONAL IMPACT › Rule 110-12-3-.01 - Purpose and Overview

Current through Rules and Regulations filed through June 27, 2024
(1)
General.
These rules become
				effective March 1, 2014.The Georgia Planning Act authorizes the Department of
				Community Affairs (the Department) to establish the specific thresholds, rules,
				and procedures for the identification of and communication about Developments
				of Regional Impact (DRI) that are provided in these rules. These rules are
				applicable to all local governments and Regional Commissions in the State. The
				intent of the DRI rules is: improved local, regional and state level
				communication about new growth in the state. Communication of this nature will
				aid in maximizing the positive benefits of new development projects while
				minimizing their adverse effects. The end result should improve development
				outcomes for the host jurisdiction, neighboring jurisdictions, the region, and
				the state. The DRI rules are also intended to coordinate, streamline, and
				provide consistency with the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority's (GRTA)
				required review and approval of state and federal expenditures required to
				create land transportation services and access to DRIs located within GRTA's
				jurisdictional area pursuant to O.C.G.A.
				50-32-14.
(2)
Overview.
The rules require
				that:
(a) Local governments considering action
				on any development project that may meet or exceed the thresholds specified in
				section 110-12-3-.05(1)(a)
				must submit the project to their Regional Commission for determination of
				whether it is a DRI.
(b) If the
				Regional Commission determines that the project is a DRI, the project must be
				handled in accordance with the procedures in Chapter
				110-12-3-.02 DRI Communication
				Procedures. The local government may not take final action approving the
				project while the DRI process is ongoing. See section
				110-12-3-.03(4)
				for actions that the local government may take while the DRI process is
				underway.
(c) The Regional
				Commission will manage the distribution of information about the project to
				neighboring jurisdictions, potentially affected parties, and State entities and
				will coordinate a process guaranteeing those jurisdictions, parties, and
				entities an opportunity to provide official comment upon projects that may
				impact them.
(d) Upon the request
				of the host jurisdiction, the Regional Commission may evaluate the development
				project for its local impacts, economic benefits, potential effects on
				neighboring jurisdictions, consistency with quality growth principles and/or
				considerations identified in the Regional Commission's Regional Plan.
(e) At the completion of the DRI process,
				which shall not last more than 30 calendar days (unless process extensions are
				taken as provided for in section
				110-12-3-.02(10)(c)),
				the Regional Commission will assemble a report including comments received from
				neighboring jurisdictions, potentially affected parties, and State entities
				along with the results of any analysis it may have been requested to conduct
				pursuant to section (d), above, including any recommendations for maximizing
				potential positive outcomes and economic benefits, reducing potential adverse
				interjurisdictional impacts and other suggestions for improvement of the
				project. The local government is encouraged to consider the contents of the DRI
				report in making its decisions related to the project.