In lieu of hearing any appeal filed pursuant to Section 1.24.010 of this chapter, the city council, upon making the determination set forth in Section 1.24.060(A) of this chapter, may cause the appeal to be heard by a hearing examiner designated by the council. This section shall not apply to any appeal to the city council from a decision or action taken by the planning and design commission or the preservation commission, or any appeal taken wherein the council is required by a statute of the state of California to conduct the appellate hearing itself. (Ord. 2012-004 § 4; Ord. 2006-065 § 2; prior code § 2.06.440)