Under the Georgia Planning Act of 1989, any large-scale development, or one that is likely to impact neighboring jurisdictions, is subject to review as a Development of Regional Impact (DRI). ARC is responsible for conducting these reviews in the 11-county metro Atlanta area.
A DRI review is intended to foster communication and coordination between local governments and other relevant agencies and to provide a means of identifying and assessing potential impacts before conflicts arise.
A jurisdiction must submit information on potential DRIs to ARC for review and comment or risk losing Qualified Local Government (QLG) status with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA). Once submitted, ARC gathers input from neighboring jurisdictions and other potentially affected parties and produces a report detailing comments and recommendations. After the review is complete, the local government retains its authority to make the final decision regarding approval of the development.
The pre-review meeting is an important initial step in determining whether a proposed development warrants regional review as a DRI. It is also typically combined with the GRTA DRI methodology meeting, in which assumptions for a GRTA-required traffic study are discussed and solidified. GRTA’s DRI review process is related to, but separate from, ARC’s process. More information on GRTA DRI review is at the bottom of this page.
Pre-review/methodology meetings are typically held on Monday afternoons at ARC, upon request from the host local government.
For more information, contact DRI Review Coordinator Donald Shockey at dshockey@atlantaregional.org or 470-378-1531.
Under state law, the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA) is also required to review DRIs. GRTA reviews focus specifically on the projected transportation/traffic impacts of proposed developments and potential mitigation measures. The agency’s focus and process are related to, but distinct from, those of ARC. GRTA’s 13-county jurisdiction includes two additional counties (Coweta and Paulding) that are outside ARC’s state-designated 11-county footprint. For more information on GRTA’s DRI program, including its procedures and staff contacts, visit the GRTA DRI webpage.
ARC’s Strategic Partners are committed to fostering collaborative regional approaches that improve quality of life in metro Atlanta. Their support elevates ARC leadership programs, research and events throughout the year. Learn more.
