And that's where the developer's problems may surface, areabrokers familiar with the north Fulton County residential submarkettell GlobeSt.com. The Georgia Mountains Regional Development Centerand the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority, which arereviewing the project, are concerned the undertaking may affect thewater quality in the area, according to brokers who check regularlywith the agencies.

The planned project is also near an Indian historic site at OldFederal Road and GA 369, according to the agencies. A prisonfacility is also nearby. Etowah Bend is classified as a developmentof regional impact because of its size. In metro areas, officeprojects over 400,000 sf, commercial projects over 300,000 sf andsubdivisions of 400-plus lots face agency reviews before they canobtain a local development order.

The Georgia Department of Community Affairs plans to clarifyseveral rules on DRIs in the first quarter--rules that may expeditea developer's application for a development order, area brokerstell GlobeSt.com.