Whenever the provisions of this title require a public hearing, the hearing shall be conducted in compliance with the requirements of state law as follows.
(A) Generally. Hearings shall be conducted pursuant to procedures adopted by the hearing body. Hearings are not required to be conducted according to technical rules relating to evidence and witnesses.
(B) Scheduling. Hearings before the City Council shall be scheduled by the City Clerk. All other hearings shall be scheduled by the Director.
(C) Presentation. An applicant or an applicant's representative may make a presentation of a proposed project prior to public testimony. The applicant or applicant's representative is also provided rebuttal time at the end of the public testimony.
(D) Public hearing testimony. Any person may appear at a public hearing and submit oral or written evidence, either individually or as a representative of a person or an organization. Each person who appears at a public hearing representing an organization shall identify the organization being represented.
(E) Time limits. The presiding officer may establish time limits for individual testimony and require that individuals with shared concerns select one or more spokespersons to present testimony on behalf of those individuals.
(F) Continuance of public hearing. The hearing body may by motion continue the public hearing to a fixed date, time and place, or may continue the item to an undetermined date. When a project is subject to the protections of Cal. Gov’t Code § 65905.5 limiting review of housing development projects to no more than five hearings, any lower decision making body shall complete their work within three hearings to allow for at least two hearings at the appeal level.
(G) Decision. The public hearing shall be closed before a vote is taken.
(Ord. 4823, passed 1-22-24)