The staff report shall automatically become part of the record as shall any documents submitted by the close of business on the Thursday before the hearing date by the applicant/appellant and the public, as shall all testimony given at the hearing. At the conclusion of the hearing, the board or the commission shall close the record unless the board or the commission determines, in its discretion, additional evidence is required, in which event, it may proceed as follows: close the record with the exception of allowing the submission of specifically requested information, leave the entire record open for the submission of additional evidence to a date certain at which time it will automatically be closed without further action of the board or the commission, or continue the hearing to a date certain for the purpose of receiving additional evidence and conducting such further proceedings as may, in its discretion, be advisable. (Ord. 683, 1-23-2008; amd. Ord. 794, 2-15-2012; amd. Ord. 843, 6-3-2015; amd. Ord. 902, 10-2-2019)