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Development Review
Development Review involves reviewing and permitting large-scale development projects located in unincorporated Hall County. The review process involves several departments, and state agencies including, but not limited to, Engineering, Environmental Health, Fire Services, Soil and Water Conservation, Planning, Public Utilities, and Public Works. The review process is required for commercial projects, multi-family developments, industrial projects, major subdivisions, and institutional projects.
Plans are submitted to the Planning Department and then routed to all other reviewing departments simultaneously so that comments can be made and compiled in a timely and effective manner. Once you submit your permit application, the associated civil plans are reviewed by technical experts to ensure compliance with development codes and regulations.
The preliminary review takes two weeks. As each reviewer completes the review, he or she will either approve the plans or return marked-up plans with comments to the Plans Review Coordinator (PRC). Once the review period is complete, the PRC will return comments to the customer for revisions.
The number of departmental comments and the time it takes for the engineer, land surveyor or other professionals to address the comments determines the timeframe in which a Land Disturbance Permit (LDP) is issued. When the necessary approvals are obtained, a LDP will be issued to begin the development.
Development Review Committee Meeting Schedule & Submittal Deadlines
The Development Review Committee (DRC) holds weekly meetings every Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. at the Hall County Government Center (2875 Browns Bridge Road, Gainesville, Georgia 30504) in the 3rd floor conference room. During these meetings, customers meet with DRC staff and discuss potential development projects. Plans may also be submitted for review during these meetings. Attendance at the DRC meeting is not mandatory; however, the meeting can be very informative and help you understand the review process as it relates to a particular development. Applicants may also submit plans for distribution in advance of the meeting. Plans submitted no later than 4:00 p.m. each Tuesday will be distributed the following day at the DRC meeting.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does “Development Review” work?
Plans are submitted to the Planning Department and then routed to all other reviewing departments simultaneously so that comments can be made and compiled in a timely and effective manner. Once you submit your permit application, the associated civil plans are reviewed by technical experts to ensure compliance with development codes and regulations.
The preliminary review takes two weeks. As each reviewer completes the review, he or she will either approve the plans or return marked-up plans with comments to the Plans Review Coordinator (PRC). Once the review period is complete, the PRC will return comments to the customer for revisions.
How do I know if my project requires Development Review?
The review process is required for commercial projects, multi-family developments, industrial projects, major subdivisions, and institutional projects. If you are unsure if your project will require a review contact Sarah McQuade, Plans Review Coordinator, at 770.297.5544 or smcquade@hallcounty.org.
Do I have to attend the Development Review meeting?
Attendance at the Development Review meeting is not mandatory; however, the meeting can be very informative and help you understand the review process as it relates to a particular development.
I submitted for Development Review, but my plans weren’t approved. Now what?
Many projects require resubmittals. Have your plans revised to satisfy the comments from the reviewers and then resubmit to the Plans Review Coordinator who will redistribute them to the Development Review Committee.
Development Review Fees
Project Type | Fee |
Commercial Land Disturbance Permit | $400 + $40/disturbed acre |
3rd Review Fee | $100 |
Preliminary Subdivision Plat | $400 + $40/disturbed acre + 0.40¢/linear foot of new streets |
Final Subdivision Plat | $400 + $10/lot |
Revisions to Approved Plans | $200 |
As-built Review | $200 |
Development Review Committee Members
Planning | ||||
Sarah McQuade | Planning Manager | 770.297.5544 | smcquade@hallcounty.org | Plans Review Coordinator |
Beth Garmon | Senior Planner | 770.297.5542 | egarmon@hallcounty.org | Plan Reviewer |
Addressing | ||||
Mark Lane | GIS Manager | 770.531.6809 | mlanke@hallcounty.org | Addressing |
City of Gainesville Public Utilities | ||||
Nick Swafford | Permitting Manager | 770.538.2418 | nswafford@gainesville.org | Public Utilities Reviewer |
Engineering/Public Works | ||||
Tammie Croy | Engineer | 770.531.6800 | tcroy@hallcounty.org | Stormwater Engineer |
Frank Miller | Engineer | 770.531.6800 | fmiller@hallcounty.org | Stormwater Engineer |
Charles Turner | Engineer | 770.531.6800 | caturner@hallcounty.org | Stormwater Engineer |
Scott Puckett | Engineer | 770.531.6800 | spuckett@hallcounty.org | Traffic Engineer |
Environmental Health | ||||
Chad Harper | Inspector | 770.531.3973 | charper@hallcounty.org | Commercial Plan Reviewer |
Emily McGahee | Inspector | 770.531.3973 | emcgahee@hallcounty.org | Residential Plan Reviewer |
Fire Services | ||||
John Hornick | Lieutenant | 770.531.6838 | jhornick@hallcounty.org | Plan Reviewer |
Georgia Department of Transportation | ||||
Steve Kelly | District Engineer | 770.531.5797 | skelly@dot.ga.gov | Plan Reviewer |
Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) | ||||
Greg Bell | Soil & Water Conservation | 770.531.6827 | gregory.bell@ga.usda.gov | Plans Reviewer |