17VAC10-30-70: Appeals

A. A project owner may appeal any denial of certification. A request for an appeal shall be made in writing to the Director of the Department of Historic Resources, 2801 Kensington Avenue, Richmond, Virginia 23221, within 60 days of receipt of the decision that is the subject of the appeal. It is not necessary for the owner to present arguments for overturning a decision within this 60-day period. The owner may request an opportunity to meet with the director, but all information that the owner wishes the director to consider shall be in writing. The director shall consider the record of the decision in question, any further written submissions by the owner, and other available information, and may consult with experts or others as appropriate. The director shall provide the owner a written decision as promptly as circumstances permit. The appeal process is an administrative review of decisions made by the department; it is not an adjudicative proceeding.

B. In considering appeals, the director may take into account new information not previously available or submitted; alleged errors in professional judgment; or alleged prejudicial procedural errors. The director's decision may:

1. Reverse the appealed decision;

2. Affirm the appealed decision; or

3. Resubmit the matter to the department program staff for further consideration.

C. The decision of the director shall be the final administrative decision on the appeal. No person shall be considered to have exhausted his administrative remedies with respect to the certifications or decisions described in this part until the director has issued a final administrative decision in response to this section.