A. The Director shall notify the applicant for a permit within a reasonable time, as set forth in regulations, taking into account the time needed for proper investigation of the site, the complexity of the permit application, and such written objections as may have been filed, of his written decision to approve or disapprove the application, in whole or in part, except that if an informal hearing has been held pursuant to § 45.1-239, the Director shall issue to the applicant and the parties to the hearing his written decision within sixty days of such hearings.

B. If the application is approved the permit shall be issued. If the application is disapproved, specific reasons therefor shall be set forth in the notification. Within thirty days after the applicant is notified of the final decision of the Director on the permit application, the applicant, or any person with an interest which is or may be adversely affected, may request a hearing on the reasons for the final determination. The Director shall hold a formal adjudicatory hearing in accordance with the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.), and within thirty days thereafter issue to the applicant and all persons who participated in the hearing the written decision of the Director granting or denying the permit in whole or in part and stating the reasons therefor. No person who presided at an informal hearing under § 45.1-239 shall preside at the formal adjudicatory hearing or participate in the decision therein or any administrative appeal therefrom.

C. Where a hearing is requested pursuant to subsection B herein, the Director, under such conditions as he may prescribe, may grant such temporary relief as he deems appropriate pending final determination of the proceedings if:

1. All parties to the proceeding have been notified and given an opportunity to be heard on a request for temporary relief;

2. The person requesting such relief shows that there is a substantial likelihood that he will prevail on the merits of the final determination of the proceeding; and

3. Such relief will not adversely affect the public health or safety or cause significant imminent environmental harm to land, air or water resources.

D. Any applicant, or any person with an interest which is or may be adversely affected and who has participated in the formal hearing as an objector, aggrieved by the decision of the Director or by the failure of the Director to act within the time limits specified in this chapter shall have a right to judicial review in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.).

1979, c. 290; 1983, c. 92; 1986, c. 615.