DEVELOPMENTS OF REGIONAL IMPACT (DRI)

The Martha's Vineyard Commission Act (Chapter 831) authorizes the Commission to review developments that are either so large or have such significant impacts on their surroundings that they would affect more than one town. Such projects are labeled Developments of Regional Impact (DRIs). Examples include projects that could have a significant impact on nitrogen-loading in coastal ponds, that could seriously worsen traffic on the Island's major roads, or that could have a notable impact on the Vineyard's scenic values viewed from highly traveled ways or from water bodies.

Once officially classified as a DRI, the project must be approved by the Martha's Vineyard Commission before a town board may issue a required permit or take any action. The Commission weighs the potential benefits and detriments of the proposal to determine whether the application should be approved, approved with conditions or denied.

Despite enormous growth, the Vineyard has largely preserved its character because, since 1974, every major development on Martha's Vineyard was reviewed by the MVC. Knowing that a proposal is subject to Commission approval is in itself a great incentive to submit a higher quality project. Many projects have been further improved during the public hearing process after developers better understand community concerns. Some projects are then further improved through conditions imposed by the Commission. The Commission denied a small number of projects.

This section of this website outlines the basic steps of the DRI process and how to prepare an application.

The DRI Process - Step By Step—This section outlines the steps that are followed in the review of DRIs.
Making a DRI Application—This document explains how an Applicant should prepare an application.

The DRI Status Report indicates the status of each project currently being reviewed by the MVC.

The following other documents could also be consulted to help understand the DRI process.

DRI Regulations (DRIRegulations 110K) —These regulations outline the DRI process including administrative details not included here.
DRI Checklist - Current (DRIChecklist 108K) —This lists the Standards and Criteria that set various thresholds used to determine whether a proposal is a Development of Regional Impact.
DRI - Application Form (DRIApplication 91K) —This form must be filled in by an applicant whose project has been referred for review to the MVC.
DRI Application Guidance (DRIApplicationInstructions 114K) —This provides information about how to fill out the Application Form.
Chapter 831 of the Acts of 1977 as ammended (Chapter831 213K) —This is the MVC's enabling legislation. Refer especially to sections 14 and 15, which outline the criteria that the Commission uses in weighing the potential benefits and detriments of a proposal.
E/W Work Group 06-12-06 (IslandPlan 80K) —This Regional Policy Plan outlines the main orientations for the Vineyard's conservation and development.

Note: If there is any discrepancy between this website and the official documents of the Martha's Vineyard Commission such as Chapter 831, the Regulations or the DRI Checklist, the latter take precedence over this or any other general guidance.