If it is determined, in accordance with this chapter, that a proposed action may have a significant effect on the environment, the proposed action shall be reviewed and processed in strict accordance with the provisions of Part 617 of Title 6 NYCRR and as provided in this chapter.
Following a determination that a proposed action may have a significant effect on the environment, the Director of Planning and Development, for actions initiated by the City, or the responsible official or body, shall prepare or cause to be prepared a draft environment impact statement in accordance with the provisions of Part 617 of Title 6 NYCRR. Refusal of the applicant to prepare such a draft shall cause the official or body to cease processing the application. Where the action involves an application for a variance, approval or other action, the full cost of preparing the draft environmental impact statement shall be borne by the applicant.
Upon completion of a draft environmental impact statement, a notice of completion containing the information specified in Part 617 of Title 6 NYCRR shall be published in the official newspapers of the City. Copies of the draft environmental impact statement and the notice of completion shall be filed, circulated, sent and made available as required by Part 617 of Title 6 NYCRR.
The draft environmental impact statement shall be reviewed by the Planning Commission, which shall determine if a public hearing on the draft environmental impact statement is necessary. If the Planning Commission determines that a public hearing is necessary, notice thereof shall be filed, circulated and sent in the same manner as the notice of completion and shall be published in the official newspapers of the City at least 14 calendar days prior to such public hearing. Such notice shall also state the place where substantive written comments on the draft environment impact statement may be sent and the date before which such comments shall be received. The public hearing shall commence no less than 15 calendar days nor more than 60 calendar days after the filing of the draft environmental impact statement except as otherwise provided where the Director of Planning and Development, for actions initiated by the City, or the responsible official or body, determines that additional time is necessary for public or other agency review of the draft environmental impact statement or where a different hearing date is required as appropriate under applicable law. If, on the basis of the draft environmental impact statement or a public hearing, the Planning Commission determines that an action will not have a significant effect on the environment, the proposed action may be processed without further regard to this chapter.