La Luz del Mundo (LLDM)

PUD or Planned Unit Development is what the applicant has said they will ask for. The PUD zoning is meant for special projects that do not meet standard zoning requirements.  PUD information can be found here.

An applicant must first submit an application for rezoning which the City staff reviews for completeness and compliance with application requirements set forth in the City’s zoning ordinance.These application requirements may be found on our city website.

The next step is for the City to request a Development of Regional Impact (DRI) review by the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission (GMRC) for larger projects. The GMRC will solicit review and comment from nearby jurisdictions. The DRI also will involve a study of the development’s regional traffic impact. Typically, the DRI review takes about 30 days but could be longer. Please follow this link to the Department of Community Affairs website for further DRI information: .

While the DRI review is in process, the City will begin reviewing the application and determining compliance with the City’s zoning ordinance.

The City will schedule a public hearing once the application is complete, the DRI report is returned and reviewed, and the City’s staff has considered the application and formulated a recommendation. Notice of the date, time and place of the public hearing will be advertised in the Gainesville Times and on signs posted near the applicant’s property.

Prior to the public hearing, the applicant may conduct an informal meeting to allow interested residents to gather information about the proposed development and meet the applicant’s representatives.

At the public hearing, the City’s staff will present a report with its findings and a recommendation of action on the rezoning application. The City Council may ask the staff questions to clarify any details or to gather additional information. Once the report presentation is made, the public hearing will be opened by the Mayor and comment will be allowed from those who support and oppose the rezoning. Public comment should be addressed to the City Council – and not to the City’s staff, the applicant’s representatives or others making public comment.

Once the public hearing is closed, the City Council may move to act on an ordinance deciding the rezoning application.The City’s Charter requires two votes on an ordinance before it becomes final.Accordingly, the ordinance deciding the rezoning application will then be considered for a second time – approximately 30 days after the initial meeting – when the City Council will again vote on the ordinance making its final decision on the rezoning application. There will not be a public hearing when the City Council considers the rezoning ordinance for the second time.

In deciding a rezoning application, the City Council must apply the criteria set forth in the City’s zoning ordinance.  Rezoning information can be found here.

One decision point is conformity within the City’s comprehensive land use plan. The Comprehensive Plan can be found here.   

Once officially submitted, citizens may attend the public hearing or submit opinions to the Council in writing via email or postal mail (Attn: Planner, Rich Atkinson, rich@flowerybranchga.org)