Overview
Under the Georgia Planning Act, development projects that are likely to have an impact beyond the host local government's jurisdiction are subject to review as Developments of Regional Impact (DRI).
This review is intended to improve communication among governments on large scale and certain types of developments, and to provide a means of identifying and assessing potential impacts before conflicts relating to them arise. The Georgia Development of Community Affairs (DCA) established thresholds by size and type of development for determining whether a development qualifies as a DRI.
To maintain its QLG status, a local government must submit potential DRIs to the Northeast Georgia Regional Commission (NEGRC) for review and comment before taking any official action related to the project. The DRI review process is designed to proceed quickly in order to minimize project delays. During the 35-day DRI review, NEGRC staff solicits comments from potentially affected government agencies as well as adjacent governments. Comments are forwarded to the applicant government and can be used for local decision-making.
During the review, local government staff may undertake preliminary administrative functions such as project evaluation/assessment, site visits, and placing consideration of these items on a future agenda for formal action. However, local governments are precluded from taking any official action related to the project until the DRI review process is completed and the local government has had adequate time to consider the DRI review comments.
The NEGRC, with input from neighboring local governments and other agencies, review such projects and makes a finding whether or not the DRI is in the best interest of the Region, and therefore, the State. The finding is advisory only. The local government retains authority to make the final decision on whether to approve the development
- Georgia Department of Community Affairs DRI Rules and Regulations
- DRI Tier Map
- Types of Development and Thresholds
- Historical DRI Reviews by County
- NEGRC Required Supplemental Information
- Department of Community Affairs DRI Homepage
- Submit DRI Form 1
- Search Current DRI Reviews
For additional information, please contact us at 706.369.5650.
Northeast Georgia Regional Commission
Planning Department •
305 Research Drive •
Athens, GA 30605
Phone: (706)369-5650 • Fax: (706)369-5792