The purpose of this chapter is to separate the land use regulatory function from the land use planning process; ensure procedural due process and appearance of fairness in land use regulatory hearings; and provide an efficient and effective land use regulatory system which integrates the public hearing and decision-making process for land use matters.
(Ord. 1233 § 1 (Exh. A), 1997; Ord. 1451 § 1, 2003)
Pursuant to Chapter 213 Laws of 1977, 1st Ex. Sess., the office of city of Washougal land use examiner, hereinafter referred to as "examiner," is hereby created. The examiner shall interpret, review and implement land use regulations and policies as provided in this chapter or by other ordinances.
(Ord. 1233 § 1 (Exh. A), 1997; Ord. 1451 § 1, 2003)
The city of Washougal city council, hereinafter referred to as "council," may appoint an examiner for terms subject to the terms of a professional services contract executed by the city manager.
(Ord. 1233 § 1 (Exh. A), 1997; Ord. 1451 § 1, 2003; Ord. 1905 § 1 (Exh. A), 2020)
The examiner shall be appointed solely with regard to the examiner qualifications for the duties of the office and will have such training and experience as will qualify him/her to conduct administrative or quasi-judicial hearings on land use regulatory enactments and to discharge the other functions conferred upon the office. The examiner shall hold no other elective or appointive office or position in the city government and have no familial or financial relationship with members of the city council or the city manager.
(Ord. 1451 § 1, 2003; Ord. 1905 § 1 (Exh. A), 2020)
No person, including city officers, elective or appointive, shall attempt to influence an examiner in any matter pending before the hearing examiner, except at a public hearing duly called for such purposes, or to interfere with an examiner in the performance of the examiner's duties in any other way; provided, that this section shall not prohibit other persons or officials from responding in writing to requests for information from the examiner.
(Ord. 1451 § 1, 2003)
No examiner shall conduct or participate in any hearing, decision or recommendation in which the examiner has a direct or indirect substantial financial or familial interest, or substantial prehearing contacts with proponents or opponents.
(Ord. 1451 § 1, 2003)
The examiner shall have the power to prescribe rules for the scheduling and conduct of hearings and other procedural matters related to the duties of the office. Such rules may provide for cross-examination of witnesses.
(Ord. 1451 § 1, 2003)
The examiner shall receive and examine available information, conduct public hearings and prepare a record thereof, and enter final decisions, subject to application, notice, public hearing and appeal procedures of Chapter 18.94 WMC on the following matters:
(1) 
Preliminary subdivision plat applications, conditional use permits, full variances, master plans, and planned unit developments and appeals of SEPA threshold determinations on any land use action associated with final decisions.
(2) 
All other applications for permits or approvals as identified in WMC § 18.94.040(5).
(3) 
Development agreements authorized by RCW 36.70B.170.
(Ord. 1451 § 1, 2003)
Once legal notice has been given, no matter shall be postponed over the objection of any interested party, except for good cause shown. Continuances may be granted at the discretion of the examiner; provided, the interested parties in attendance shall be given an opportunity to testify prior to the continuance. The applicant shall pay an amount equal to one-half the original application fee for any hearing postponed or continued by request of the applicants after legal notice has been given; provided, that an applicant is not required to pay the continuance fee if the continuance is warranted by new information presented by the city or third parties not including the applicant or other proponents of the application.
(Ord. 1451 § 1, 2003)
The decision of the examiner shall be final and conclusive unless a land use petition is timely filed in superior court, as described at WMC § 18.94.140(B), Appeals.
(Ord. 1451 § 1, 2003)