1. Before a project of regional significance is approved finally by the county or city and before construction on a project of regional significance may begin, the regional planning commission must make a finding that the project is in conformance with the adopted regional plan. In making its determination, the commission shall limit its review to the substance and content of the adopted comprehensive regional plan and shall not consider the merits or deficiencies of a project in a manner other than is necessary to enable it to make that determination.

2. If the commission fails to make any finding regarding a project of regional significance within 60 days after the project is submitted to it, it shall be deemed that the commission has made a finding that the project conforms with the regional plan.

3. If the commission determines that the project is not in conformance with the regional plan, the determination may be appealed to the governing board within 45 days after the determination is made. The governing board shall consider the appeal and may reverse the determination of the commission or recommend that the county or city take actions to make the proposal consistent with the comprehensive regional plan. The county or city shall, within 45 days after receipt, consider any such recommendations and direct such changes in the project as are necessary to assure the consistency of the proposal with the adopted regional plan.

4. The limits on time imposed in subsection 2 of NRS 278.315, subsection 5 of NRS 278.330 and subsection 2 of NRS 278.349 are extended by 60 days or such period as may be necessary to complete the review and any appeal provided for in this section.

(Added to NRS by 1989, 764; A 1991, 1735)