Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 110-12-7-.01 - Purpose & Overview

(1) General. 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. The effective date of these rules is March 1, 2013.

(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 110-12-7-.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 110-12-7-.02 DRI Communication Procedures. The local government may not take final action approving the project while the DRI process is ongoing. See section 110-12-7-.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 110-12-7-.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.

(3) Changes and Interpretation. These rules and regulations may from time to time be revised by the Department pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act. The Department is the final authority for interpretation of these rules.

Notes

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 110-12-7-.01

50-8-7.1(b).

Original Rule entitled "Purpose & Overview" adopted. F. Feb. 7, 2013; eff. Feb. 27, 2013.