Section 36-66-6. Investigations and recommendations of planning department regarding land near military installation

   (a) In any local government which has established a planning department or other similar agency charged with the duty of reviewing zoning proposals, such planning department or other agency shall with respect to each proposed zoning decision involving land that is adjacent to or within 3,000 feet of any military base or military installation or within the 3,000 foot Clear Zone and Accident Prevention Zones Numbers I and II as prescribed in the definition of an Air Installation Compatible Use Zone of a military airport investigate and make a recommendation with respect to each of the matters enumerated in subsection (b) of this Code section, in addition to any other duties with which the planning department or agency is charged by the local government. The planning department or other agency shall request from the commander of such military base, military installation, or military airport a written recommendation and supporting facts relating to the use of the land being considered in the proposed zoning decision at least 30 days prior to the hearing required by subsection (a) of Code Section 36-66-4. If the base commander does not submit a response to such request by the date of the public hearing, there shall be a presumption that the proposed zoning decision will not have any adverse effect relative to the matters specified in subsection (b) of this Code section. Any such information provided shall become a part of the public record.

(b) The matters with which the planning department or agency shall be required to make such investigation and recommendation shall be:

   (1) Whether the zoning proposal will permit a use that is suitable in view of the use of adjacent or nearby property within 3,000 feet of a military base, military installation, or military airport;

   (2) Whether the zoning proposal will adversely affect the existing use or usability of nearby property within 3,000 feet of a military base, military installation, or military airport;

   (3) Whether the property to be affected by the zoning proposal has a reasonable economic use as currently zoned;

   (4) Whether the zoning proposal will result in a use which will or could cause a safety concern with respect to excessive or burdensome use of existing streets, transportation facilities, utilities, or schools due to the use of nearby property as a military base, military installation, or military airport;

   (5) If the local government has an adopted land use plan, whether the zoning proposal is in conformity with the policy and intent of the land use plan; and

   (6) Whether there are other existing or changing conditions affecting the use of the nearby property as a military base, military installation, or military airport which give supporting grounds for either approval or disapproval of the zoning proposal.

Code 1981, § 36-66-6, enacted by Ga. L. 2003, p. 581, § 1.