A hearing examiner may be appointed by the city council to act in the place of the planning and zoning commission. Pursuant to Idaho Code 67-6520, the hearing examiner shall have the same authority as the planning and zoning commission to hear requests for special use permits, variances, subdivision plats and annexations. The hearing examiner shall be planner, engineer, architect, or other professionally trained person and shall have significant experience in the field of planning and zoning but need not be a resident of the city. The hearing examiner may be dismissed by a majority vote of the city council. (Ord. 500, 4-9-2001)