Developments of Regional Importance
Background
Assessing the impacts and providing planning guidance on Developments of Regional Importance (DRIs) is an element to the work program of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP). CMAP’s DRI process provides an opportunity for regional partners to comprehensively assess the regional implications of large-scale development proposals, reconcile regional priorities associated with these proposals and coordinate independent actions in support of regional goals. Examining these impacts from the regional perspective offers an opportunity to align projects and create consistency with regional plans and programs.
The Illinois Legislature specifically enabled CMAP in this area under Section 47 of Illinois Public Act 095-0677.
It is CMAP’s intent to review development proposals that have the possibility of introducing widespread regional impacts to the daily activities of significant numbers of people or to the natural environment. Of particular concern are characteristics of proposals that may have impacts beyond the jurisdiction of the permitting agency (e.g. municipal zoning, county stormwater, state transportation departments). At the same time, it is not CMAP’s intent to usurp the due authority of permitting agencies or unnecessarily delay a proposed development with a review of questionable relevance or value.
This DRI process is currently in place for a two-year trial period by CMAP. The two year period will commence on August 1, 2009 and end July 31, 2011. At that time, the process and its effectiveness will be reviewed by the CMAP Board.
For more infomation on how the DRI process was developed by the Programming Coordinating Committee (PCC), please follow the link Developments of Regional Importance (DRI) Process.