A. Hearings And Meetings Generally:
1. Generally, a public hearing is a gathering of the commission, the purpose of which is to take testimony from and permit comment by petitioners and interested parties. A meeting is a gathering at which the commission deliberates and votes with respect to matters before it.
B. Regular Meetings: The regular meetings of the commission shall be held on the second and fourth Thursday of each month at the hour of seven thirty o'clock (7:30) P.M., or at such time or date as may be designated by the chairperson, following proper notice as described in section 14.203 of this code.
1. No testimony shall be taken and no witnesses may be heard except at a properly convened public hearing.
2. All testimony shall be given under oath and a summary of such testimony and proceedings shall be subsequently prepared by the recording secretary. Any petitioner or other interested party may provide, at his/her own expense, a court reporter to transcribe testimony given in any case so heard by the commission, provided that the department of community development is given a copy of the transcript.
3. The chairperson, or in the chairperson's absence, the vice chairperson shall administer or authorize the administration of oaths and may compel the attendance of witnesses.
4. No vote shall be had at any public hearing unless the commission shall by notice provide that such public hearing shall also be deemed a meeting and minutes of the hearing are maintained by the secretary.
5. The director of community development is authorized to make such additional charges to any petitioner as may be necessary to cover the costs of the village in the event the filing fees are insufficient to cover the cost of the application, review and public hearing.
C. Procedure: All meetings shall be held at the call of the chairperson and at such other times as the said commission may determine by rule.
1. The commission shall keep minutes of its meetings, indicating the vote of each member upon every question or any absence or failure to vote.
2. The commission shall make its decision or its determination on all matters presented to it within a reasonable time. The following shall apply to such decision making:
a. The commission may reverse or confirm, wholly or partly, or may modify or amend any order, requirement, decision or determination, appealed from to the extent and in the manner the commission may decide to be fitting and proper, subject to the provisions contained in this article, chapter 14 of this code or under applicable law.
(1) The concurring vote of four (4) members shall be necessary to reverse any zoning determination of the director of community development. A concurring vote of the majority of those in attendance shall be required to approve any variation or to make a positive recommendation with respect to any variation.
b. In all instances where the decision of the commission is final, such decision shall be a final administrative determination and shall be subject to review by a court of law in the manner provided by applicable Illinois statutes.
D. Special Meetings: All special hearings shall be held at the call of the chairperson and at such other times as the commission may determine. All of the foregoing rules and regulations governing the conduct of hearings before the commission at regular meetings shall apply to hearings at special meetings. (Ord. 6149, 8-5-2014)