(A) If the Planning Commission issues a denial, suspension, or revocation of a permit or application for a permit under this chapter, the Planning Commission shall notify the applicant or permittee (respondent) in writing of the denial, suspension or revocation of the permit or application, including the grounds therefore, within three business days of such decision. The notification shall be directed as provided in § 112.27. The notification shall include information regarding the right to file an appeal as described below.
(1) Within ten days of service of such notice, the respondent may provide to the Planning Commission in writing a response which shall include an address at which notice may be sent by overnight mail or a telefax phone number for notice of a hearing date, and a statement of reasons why the permit or application should not be denied, suspended or revoked. A response shall be deemed to have been received when delivered to the village of Marblehead Offices at 513 West Main Street, Marblehead, Ohio 43440, during regular business hours. If no response is received by the Planning Commission within said ten days, the action shall become final. If a written notice is received by the Planning Commission within said ten days, the Planning Commission shall notify the respondent by overnight mail at the address provided or by telefax to the phone number provided of the hearing date within three business days of the receipt of such written response.
(2) Within ten days of the receipt of such written response, the Planning Commission shall conduct a hearing at which respondent shall have the opportunity to present evidence and witnesses on his or her behalf. The respondent may appear and be heard in person, or by his or her attorney, in opposition to the decision and do any of the following:
(a) Present his or her positions, arguments and contentions;
(b) Offer and examine witnesses and present evidence in support;
(c) Cross-examine witnesses purporting to refute respondent's position, arguments and contentions;
(d) Offer evidence to refute evidence and testimony offered in opposition to his or her position, arguments and contentions; and
(e) Proffer any such evidence into the record, if the admission is denied by the Planning Commission.
(3) Testimony shall be given under oath. The Planning Commission shall have the power to subpoena witnesses or evidence and shall make such power available to the respondent. The Planning Commission shall have a complete record of the adjudication kept, including any evidence admitted or proffered. If after the hearing the Planning Commission finds, by simple majority vote, that grounds as specified in this chapter exist for denial, suspension or revocation, then such action shall become final and notice of such final action shall be sent to the applicant or permittee, by written decision. If the Planning Commission finds, by a simply majority vote of the members present at the hearing, that no grounds exist for denial, suspension or revocation of a permit then the Planning Commission shall overturn the denial, suspension or revocation of the permit or application. The Planning Commission shall notify the respondent in writing by delivery, overnight mail, telefax or by certified mail of such action. The Planning Commission shall send their decision within five business days after the hearing.
(4) The notice of final decision shall contain:
(a) The case number or other identifier, the applicant and a brief description of the matter before the Planning Commission;
(b) A designation as a final decision;
(c) A clear pronouncement of the Planning Commission's decision including conclusions of fact supporting the final order;
(d) The signatures of the members of the Planning Commission; and
(e) The date the decision was mailed, faxed or delivered.
(5) The Planning Commission shall conduct any hearing pursuant to this section relating to an application for a sexually oriented business permit or sexually oriented business employee or independent contractor permit, and approve or deny the appeal within 30 days after notice is received by the Planning Commission from the respondent of an appeal. The respondent may, however, request a rescheduling or continuance of the hearing date set by the Planning Commission, in which case the hearing date shall be extended for a reasonable period, and the 30-day time period for the Planning Commission to decide the appeal shall be extended by the number of days the hearing is postponed due to the respondent's request.
(B) A suspension or revocation shall not be final and in effect if an appeal is filed until the later of the Planning Commission's decision on the appeal becoming final and expiration of any time period for initial appeal to court from a denial of the appeal by the Planning Commission, or if an appeal is taken to court, the entering of a judgment on the appeal by a court of competent jurisdiction. The existing permit shall remain in effect during such period.
(C) If the Planning Commission has received a written appeal objecting to a denial of a permit/application, then the Planning Commission shall immediately grant or continue a temporary permit to operate or work at the sexually oriented business. The temporary permit shall continue in effect until the later of Planning Commission's decision on the appeal being final and expiration of any time period for initial appeal to court from a denial by the Planning Commission of the appeal, or if an appeal is taken to court, the entering of a judgment on the appeal by a court of competent jurisdiction. Operations under such temporary permit shall be subject to all provisions of this chapter.
(D) When a decision to deny, suspend or revoke a permit has been appealed and that decision becomes final, the applicant or permittee whose application for a permit has been denied or whose permit has been suspended or revoked shall have the right to appeal such action to a court of competent jurisdiction pursuant to R.C. Chapter 2506.
(Ord. 19, 2008, passed 1-22-2009)