(a) On receipt of an application and accompanying documents, the Department shall review it and make further inquiries, inspections, or examinations as necessary or desirable for proper evaluation. If the Department objects to any part of the application or accompanying documents, it shall notify promptly the applicant by certified mail, return receipt requested, bearing a postmark from the United States Postal Service, of its objections, setting forth its reasons, and shall afford the applicant a reasonable opportunity to make amendments or take actions required to remove the objections. The Department shall submit a copy of the application and accompanying documents to the Department of Planning for review with respect to matters that are the responsibility of the Department of Planning.

(b) Public notice and informational hearings shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of § 5-204(b) through (e) of this article.

(c) The Department may waive the notice requirements of this section and the holding of a public informational hearing on an application for a permit that affects an area that is 5 acres or less in size or a permit modification that affects an area that is 20 acres or less in size.