26.10.530 Procedures for open record public hearings or open record appeal hearings.
(1) Procedures for Open Record Public Hearings. Open record public hearings and open record appeal hearings shall be conducted in accordance with the hearing body’s rules of procedure and shall create or supplement an evidentiary record upon which the body will base its decision in addition to the procedures set forth by this chapter. Questions directed to the staff or the applicant shall be posed by the chair at its discretion. In cases where scientific standards and criteria affecting project approval are at issue, the chair shall allow orderly cross-examination of expert witnesses presenting reports and/or scientific data and opinions. The decision-making body may address questions to any party who testifies at a public hearing. The chair shall open the public hearing and, in general, observe the following sequence of events:
(a) Staff presentation, including submittal of any administrative reports prepared for the permit decision or as response to an appeal, if applicable.
(b) Applicant presentation, including submittal of any materials.
(c) Testimony or comments by the public germane to the matter.
(d) Rebuttal, response or clarifying statements by the staff, the applicant, the appellant and the parties of record at the chair’s discretion.
(e) The evidentiary portion of the public hearing shall be closed and the decision-making body shall deliberate on the matter before it.
(2) Hearings shall be electronically recorded and such recordings shall be a part of the official record. Copies of the recordings shall be made available to the public for reasonable costs. Transcripts of the hearings are not provided unless requested and paid for by the requester.
(3) Rights and Responsibilities of Parties.
(a) Clallam County has the right to present evidence and testimony, object, make motions, arguments, recommendations and all other rights essential to a fair hearing.
(b) Clallam County has the responsibility to provide public notice in compliance with this chapter, provide a staff report at least seven days prior to a hearing, provide a recommendation, present materials at hearings, provide the decision-making body with documentation relevant to the case, and provide revised plans if received within seven days of the hearing.
(c) Every applicant or appellant shall provide the decision-making body with material that supports his/her case, be prepared for questions at the public hearing, and be courteous to all who participate in the proceedings.
(d) Every party of record, including the applicant or appellant, if applicable, shall have the right to present evidence and testimony at hearings. The right of parties of record to cross-examine, object, submit motions and arguments shall be at the discretion of the decision-making body. The decision-making body may impose reasonable limitations on the number of witnesses and length of testimony, as well as the amount and style of cross-examination.
(e) Parties of record shall conduct themselves with civility and deal courteously with all involved in the proceedings.