Initial DRI information form: A form intended to identify basic information about a proposed development of regional impact on which a local government is being requested to take action, and which provides information to the Regional Development Center (RDC). This form notifies the RDC of a potential development of regional impact in order for the RDC to meet its responsibilities within the DRI review process.

DRI Review initiation request form: A form intended to provide additional information about the proposed project to the Regional Development Center (RDC), the submission of which serves as an official request that the DRI review process be started by the RDC.

Regional Development Center: The Georgia Mountains Regional Development Center, or any successor or subsequent agency with jurisdiction for development of regional impact applications.

This Article 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, conditional use, 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 threshold(s) of a development of regional impact, according to "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.

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.

The application procedures established in this zoning ordinance will be modified by this Article in cases where a rezoning request, conditional use application or variance application 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.

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.

(a)

When an application for a development of regional impact is received, the Zoning Administrator 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.

(b)

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.

(c)

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.

(d)

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.