What is a Development of Regional Impact?
A DRI is a large-scale development that is likely to have regional effects beyond the local government jurisdiction in which they are located. The Georgia Planning Act of 1989 authorized the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to establish procedures for review of these large-scale projects. These procedures are designed to improve communication between affected governments and to provide a means of revealing and assessing potential impacts of large-scale developments before conflicts relating to them arise.
When is a Development of Regional Impact required in Bulloch County?
| Type of Development |
Description |
| Office | Greater than 400,000 gross square feet. |
| Commercial | Greater than 300,000 gross square feet. |
| Wholesale and Distribution | Greater than 500,000 gross square feet. |
| Hospitals and Health Care Facilities | Greater than 300 new beds; or generating more than 375 peak hour vehicle trips per day. |
| Housing | Greater than 400 new lots or units. |
| Industrial | Greater than 500,000 gross square feet; or employing more than 1,600 workers; or covering more than 400 acres. |
| Hotels | Greater than 400 rooms. |
| Mixed Use | Gross square feet greater than 400,000 (with residential units calculated at 1,800 square feet per unit toward the total gross square footage); or covering more than 120 acres; or if any of the individual uses meet or exceeds a threshold as identified herein. |
| Airports | All new airports, runways and runway extensions. |
| Attractions and Recreational Facilities | Greater than 1,500 parking spaces or a seating capacity of more than 6,000. |
| Post-Secondary School | New school with a capacity of more than 2,400 students, or expansion by at least 25 percent of capacity. |
| Waste Handling Facilities | New facility or expansion of use of an existing facility by 50 percent or more. |
| Quarries, Asphalt and Cement Plants | New facility or expansion of use of an existing facility by more than 50 percent. |
| Wastewater Treatment Facilities | New facility or expansion of use of an existing facility by more than 50 percent. |
| Petroleum Storage Facilities | Storage greater than 50,000 barrels if within 1,000 feet of any water supply; otherwise, storage capacity greater than 200,000 barrels. |
| Water Supply Intakes / Reservoirs | New facilities. |
| Intermodal Terminals | New Facilities. |
| Truck Stops | A new facility with more than three diesel fuel pumps; or containing a half acre of truck parking or 10 truck parking spaces. |
| Any other development types not identified | 100 parking spaces. |
When should an applicant apply for a Development of Regional Impact determination?
The applicant should apply for a DRI determination when some sort of local government action related to the development project is requested, including, but not limited to, a request for rezoning, rezoning accompanying an annexation, zoning 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 may meet or exceed the thresholds established for that development (see table).
What is the procedure for Development of Regional Impact determination / review?
DRI determination
If Bulloch County determines that the development meets the threshold for a DRI, the County completes Form 1: Initial DRI Information form, which is sent to DCA and the Coastal Georgia Regional Development Center (RDC).
Based in part on the information provided in the Initial DRI Information form, the RDC will determine whether or not the proposed development should be processed as a DRI. The County will notify the applicant if the RDC determines a DRI review is required.
DRI Review
Applicant completes as much of Development of Regional Impact: Pre-Review Questionnaire as possible, pays County DRI fee ($5 per acre), and submits both to Bulloch County.
Bulloch County submits Development of Regional Impact: Pre-Review Questionnaire and Form 2: DRI Review Initiation Request to the RDC.
Within 5 days of receiving the completed DRI Review Initiation Request, the RDC will respond in writing to Bulloch County. If the form contains complete information, the RDC will respond with a Completeness Certification letter, which will signal the official beginning of the DRI Regional Review process. If the form does not contain all required information, Bulloch County will be so notified.
At the same time the Completeness Certification is mailed, the RDC will mail a DRI Preliminary Report and Request for Comments to the appropriate government agencies and interested parties for review.
The RDC then has 30 days to complete a Public Finding of whether or not the proposed DRI is considered to be in the best interest of the state. The RDC has 45 days if the finding will be not in the best interest of the state.
All comments and findings are provided to Bulloch County and all other parties involved.
Can Bulloch County take action during a Development of Regional Impact review?
To ensure a fair review process, Bulloch County cannot take any official action related to the project until the DRI review process is completed. Official action includes action taken either by the Planning and Zoning Commission or the Board of Commissioners.
Where can I find additional information and check on the status of a Development of Regional Impact?
Submission Forms
Form 1: Initial DRI Information
Form 2: DRI Review Initiation Request