The Director or the Director’s designee shall review each request to determine if the request conforms to the standards for exemption. When reviewing the request, the Director or the Director’s designee shall consider the factors set forth in Regulation .03B of this chapter and any other information made available to the Director or the Director’s designee concerning the impact of the protected action on the property owner and the assisted households. Upon completion of the review, the Director shall make a recommendation to the Secretary for approval or disapproval of the request for exemption. Upon approval or disapproval of the request for exemption by the Secretary, a notification of the Secretary's determination shall be sent to the owner. The notification shall be issued within 30 days of receipt of the request for exemption and any required supplemental documentation. The determination by the Secretary or a redetermination of any decision to grant or not to grant an exemption from any requirements of the Act is not a contested case within the meaning of the Administrative Procedure Act or COMAR 05.01.01.02.