Chapter 19.15
APPEAL PROCEDURES
Sections:
19.15.010 Appeals of administrative decisions.
19.15.040 Procedural irregularity.
19.15.010 Appeals of administrative decisions.
The procedures set forth in this chapter shall apply to all appeals to the hearing examiner or to the city council that are authorized by the Newcastle Municipal Code, unless a conflicting procedure or action is required by the code provision authorizing the appeal. (Ord. 97-153 Exh. A).
19.15.020 Procedures.
A. An administrative appeal of a project decision and of any environmental determination issued at the same time as the project decision, shall be filed with the city clerk within 14 days after the notice of the decision or after other notice that the decision has been made and is appealable. The fee established by the city shall also be filed with the city within this time frame. The appeal period shall be extended for an additional seven days, if public comment is allowed on a determination of nonsignificance issued as part of the appealable project permit decision.
B. Content of Appeal. Appeals shall be in writing, be accompanied by an appeal fee, and contain the following information:
1. Appellant’s name, address and phone number;
2. Appellant’s statement describing his or her standing to appeal;
3. Identification of the application which is the subject of the appeal;
4. Appellant’s statement of grounds for appeal and the facts upon which the appeal is based;
5. The relief sought, including the specific nature and extent;
6. A statement that the appellant has read the appeal and believes the contents to be true, followed by the appellant’s signature.
C. Upon timely receipt of a notice of appeal and fee, the city clerk shall set the matter for a hearing before the appropriate appeal body.
D. The city clerk shall provide notice of the hearing at which the appeal shall be considered at least 15 calendar days prior to the hearing, or as otherwise provided by law. The hearing notice shall be provided by:
1. Posting notice as provided in NMC 19.11.040(A);
2. Publishing notice as provided in 19.11.040(B);
3. Mailing notice to the appellant, to the applicant, and to any person who requested notice of decision or submitted substantial comments on the application.
E. The time period for considering and deciding an appeal shall not exceed 90 days for an open record appeal hearing or 60 days for a closed record appeal. The parties to an appeal may agree to extend these time periods.
F. The appeal body shall render a decision based upon the written record of the previous proceedings, including, but not limited to, written materials, exhibits and minutes. The appeal body may consider a tape recording of the previous proceedings. The appeal body may hear oral argument from the appellant, the applicant if the appellant is not the applicant, and the city. The appeal body may affirm the decision, reverse the decision, affirm the decision with modification, or remand the decision to the decision maker for further consideration. The appeal body shall affirm the decision unless from a review of the record it is determined the decision being appealed meets one of the standards set forth in (1) through (6) of this subsection:
1. The body or officer that made the decision engaged in unlawful procedure or failed to follow a prescribed process, unless the error was harmless;
2. The decision is an erroneous interpretation by the law, after allowing for such deference as is due the construction of a law by a local jurisdiction with expertise;
3. The decision is not supported by evidence that is substantial when viewed in light of the whole record;
4. The decision is a clearly erroneous application of the law to the facts;
5. The decision is outside the authority or jurisdiction of the body or officer making the decision;
6. The decision violates the constitutional rights of the party seeking relief.
G. The appeal body shall issue a written decision on the appeal containing a statement of the decision on appeal, including any conditions, a statement of the facts upon which the decision is based and the conclusions of law derived from these facts; and a statement of the right of an affected party to appeal the decision of the appeal body.
H. If a permit is granted, the city official administering the permit may allow the applicant to begin all or a portion of the construction or commence all or a portion of the operations during the pendency of any appeal; provided, that such construction or operation is begun at the applicant’s own risk. If the decision being appealed is reversed or modified, the applicant may be required to remove or alter any development or action inconsistent with the final decision and/or restore the environment to its pre-existing condition. (Ord. 97-153 Exh. A).
19.15.030 Judicial appeal.
An appeal from the decision of the appeal body for which no other administrative appeal is provided, shall be filed and served within 21 days of the issuance of the decision in accordance with Chapter 36.70C RCW. (Ord. 97-153 Exh. A).
19.15.040 Procedural irregularity.
No procedural irregularity or informality in the notice, consideration, hearing or other matter relating to the decision or the appeal shall affect the final decision, or any other action leading to the final decision, unless substantial rights of a person with demonstrable beneficial interests are adversely affected and unless objection is made to the city at the earliest possible time after discovery. (Ord. 97-153 Exh. A).