Chapter 18.175
PUBLIC HEARING PROCEDURES

Sections:

18.175.010    Generally.

18.175.020    Rules of procedure.

18.175.030    Parties.

18.175.040    Record.

18.175.050    Procedural rights.

18.175.060    Presentations.

18.175.010 Generally.

Public hearings before the planning commission and city council on all land use decisions shall be conducted in accordance with this chapter. (Ord. 974 § 4 (Exh. A.2 § 7.13), 1998)

18.175.020 Rules of procedure.

Public hearings shall be conducted in accordance with the rules of procedure adopted by the planning commission and city council.

At the beginning of the hearing for an application, a statement shall be made to those in attendance that:

A. Lists the applicable review criteria;

B. States that testimony and evidence must be directed toward the review criteria;

C. States that failure to raise an issue with sufficient specificity to afford the decision maker and the parties an opportunity to respond precludes appeal to the land use board of appeals on that issue. (Ord. 974 § 4 (Exh. A.2 § 7.13), 1998)

18.175.030 Parties.

Only parties who submitted written or oral comments at or prior to the hearing shall be considered parties and entitled to appeal a decision. (Ord. 974 § 4 (Exh. A.2 § 7.13), 1998)

18.175.040 Record.

A taped record of all public hearings shall be made. In addition, written minutes giving a reflection of the matters discussed and the views of the participants may be taken. (Ord. 974 § 4 (Exh. A.2 § 7.13), 1998)

18.175.050 Procedural rights.

The following procedural rights shall be provided at the public hearing:

A. A reasonable opportunity for parties to present evidence;

B. A reasonable opportunity to cross-examine witnesses, including staff;

C. A reasonable opportunity for rebuttal of new material;

D. An impartial review authority as free from potential conflicts of interest and prehearing contacts as reasonably possible. (Ord. 974 § 4 (Exh. A.2 § 7.13), 1998)

18.175.060 Presentations.

A. The review authority may set reasonable time limits for oral presentations.

B. No testimony shall be accepted after the close of the public hearing unless the review authority sets a deadline for such testimony and provides an opportunity for review and rebuttal prior to making a decision. (Ord. 974 § 4 (Exh. A.2 § 7.13), 1998)