Open record public hearings shall be conducted in accordance with this Chapter. Such hearings may be conducted in-person, virtually, or both simultaneously in accordance with state law.
(Ord. 4-1996 § 1 (part), 1996; Ord. 14-1998 § 1 (part), 1998; Ord. 5-2012 § 2 (Exh. A) (part), 2012; Ord. 7-2017 § 2 (Exh. A)(part), 2017; Ord. 2-2022 § 3 (Exh. 1), 2022; Ord. 12-2024 § 1 (Exh. 1), 2024)
Upon the filing of a project permit application requiring a public hearing, the Administrative Official shall set the time and place for the public hearing and shall provide notice of the hearing as set forth in Chapter 16B.05. The Administrative Official shall also prepare a staff report on the application and present this staff report at the public hearing. This staff report will incorporate recommendations on the project permit application, any mitigation measures recommended under the County's development regulations or under the authority of SEPA, and the County's final SEPA determination on the project permit application, if applicable. At least seven calendar days prior to the scheduled hearing the Administrative Official shall notify the Hearing Examiner and applicant of the availability of the staff report and hearing exhibits for pick up at the division's office and email same to the Hearing Examiner and applicant. Copies shall be made available for public inspection and provided to interested parties upon request.
(Ord. 4-1996 § 1 (part), 1996; Ord. 14-1998 § 1 (part), 1998; Ord. 5-2012 § 2 (Exh. A) (part), 2012; Ord. 7-2017 § 2 (Exh. A)(part), 2017; 2022; Ord. 2-2022 § 3 (Exh. 1); Ord. 12-2024 § 1 (Exh. 1), 2024)
Public hearings shall be conducted in accordance with the Hearing Examiner's rules of procedure and shall serve to create or supplement an evidentiary record upon which the Hearing Examiner will base his or her decision. Persons may appear at the hearing either personally or by agent or attorney. The Hearing Examiner shall open the public hearing and, in general, observe the following sequence of events:
(1) 
Staff presentation, including submittal of any administrative reports. The Hearing Examiner may ask questions of the staff.
(2) 
Applicant presentation, including submittal of any materials. The Hearing Examiner may ask questions of the applicant. The applicant shall appear personally or by agent or attorney.
(3) 
Testimony or comments by the public relative to the matter being heard. Questions directed to the staff or the applicant shall be posed by the Hearing Examiner at his/her discretion.
(4) 
Rebuttal, response or clarifying statements by the staff and the applicant. The Hearing Examiner may further question a person submitting information or the staff if opportunity for rebuttal is provided.
(5) 
The public hearing portion of the hearing shall be closed and the Hearing Examiner may deliberate on the matter.
(Ord. 4-1996 § 1 (part), 1996; Ord. 14-1998 § 1 (part), 1998; Ord. 5-2012 § 2 (Exh. A) (part), 2012; Ord. 7-2017 § 2 (Exh. A)(part), 2017; Ord. 2-2022 § 3 (Exh. 1), 2022; Ord. 12-2024 § 1 (Exh. 1), 2024)
The burden of proof is on the applicant for Type 3 and 4 applications, or, in the case of an open record appeal on the appellant.
(Ord. 4-1996 § 1 (part), 1996; Ord. 14-1998 § 1 (part), 1998; Ord. 5-2012 § 2 (Exh. A) (part), 2012; Ord. 7-2017 § 2 (Exh. A)(part), 2017; Ord. 12-2024 § 1 (Exh. 1), 2024)
(1) 
Following the open record public hearing, the Hearing Examiner shall approve, conditionally approve, or deny the application, or recommend approval or denial of the application. The Hearing Examiner shall approve a project or approve with modifications if the applicant has demonstrated that the proposal complies with the applicable decision criteria of the Yakima County Code. The applicant carries the burden of proof and must demonstrate that a preponderance of the evidence supports the conclusion that the application merits approval or approval with modifications. In all other cases, the Hearing Examiner shall deny the application.
(2) 
Each recommendation and final decision of the Hearing Examiner shall be in writing and shall include findings and conclusions, based on the record, to support the recommendation and decision. Such findings and conclusions shall also set forth the manner in which the decision would carry out and conform to the County's comprehensive plan(s) and development regulations.
(3) 
Each recommendation and final decision of the Hearing Examiner, unless a longer period is mutually agreed to in writing by the applicant and the hearing body, shall be rendered within ten (10) working days following the conclusion of all testimony and the hearing on the project permit application.
(4) 
The Administrative Official will provide notice of the Hearing Examiner's decisions and recommendations consistent with YCC § 16B.07.010 within three days of issuance. The notice will be made available to any person upon request made during the appeal period.
(Ord. 4-1996 § 1 (part), 1996; Ord. 14-1998 § 1 (part), 1998; Ord. 5-2012 § 2 (Exhs. A, B) (part), 2012; Ord. 7-2017 § 2 (Exh. A)(part), 2017; Ord. 2-2022 § 3 (Exh. 1), 2022; Ord. 12-2024 § 1 (Exh. 1), 2024)
The Hearing Examiner may view the subject property with or without notification to the parties, but the circumstances of such site view shall be placed on the record.
(Ord. 4-1996 § 1 (part), 1996; Ord. 14-1998 § 1 (part), 1998; Ord. 5-2012 § 2 (Exh. A) (part), 2012; Ord. 7-2017 § 2 (Exh. A)(part), 2017; Ord. 12-2024 § 1 (Exh. 1), 2024)
(1) 
The Administrative Official may combine any public hearing on a project permit application with any hearing that may be held by another local, state, regional, federal, or other agency with jurisdiction on the proposed action. Hearings shall be combined if requested by an applicant, provided that:
(a) 
The hearing is held within the geographic boundaries of Yakima County;
(b) 
Each agency is not expressly prohibited by statute from doing so;
(c) 
Sufficient notice of the hearing is given to meet each of the agencies' adopted notice requirements as set forth in statute, ordinance, or rule;
(d) 
Each agency has received the necessary information about the proposed project from the applicant in enough time to hold its hearing at the same time as the local government hearing; and
(e) 
The joint hearing can be held within the required time periods or the applicant may agree to a particular schedule in the event that additional time is needed in order to combine the hearings.
(2) 
All agencies participating in a combined hearing may issue joint hearing notices and develop a joint format, select a mutually acceptable hearing body or officer, or take such other actions as may be necessary to hold joint hearings consistent with each of their respective statutory obligations.
(Ord. 4-1996 § 1 (part), 1996; Ord. 14-1998 § 1 (part), 1998; Ord. 5-2012 § 2 (Exh. A) (part), 2012; Ord. 7-2017 § 2 (Exh. A)(part), 2017; Ord. 12-2024 § 1 (Exh. 1), 2024)