16.10.290 Appeals to the planning commission.
A. An applicant may appeal a final decision of the planning director by filing a written request for appeal with the planning director within fourteen (14) calendar days after notice of the planning director’s decision is sent.
B. When filing the appeal, the appellant shall:
1. Certify under oath that the appeal is made in good faith;
2. Set forth the pertinent sections of the Bethel Municipal Code and/or state or federal law which the appellant believes were misapplied or misinterpreted by the city;
3. Set forth the specific relief requested.
C. The planning director shall forward the request for appeal to the planning commission who shall set the appeal for the next regularly scheduled planning commission meeting, provided such meeting is scheduled sufficiently in the future to allow for proper notification as required under the Bethel Municipal Code. If the request is received too close to a scheduled planning commission meeting that proper notice would not be possible, the planning commission shall set the matter for the following meeting.
D. Written notice of the hearing shall be sent to the applicant and any other interested parties by the planning director.
E. Prior to the hearing, the planning director shall make copies of the request for relief submitted by the applicant as well as the planning director’s decision.
F. Applicants may supplement the information provided to the planning commission by providing additional information previously presented to the planning director. Supplemental information must be provided to the planning director at least ten (10) days prior to the hearing.
G. During an appeal to the planning commission, appellant may not rely on or introduce information that the appellant failed to furnish to the city in support of its initial request.
H. Before issuing a written decision, the planning commission shall hear from the parties and shall review the facts and documents relating to the claim.
I. Within thirty (30) days of the hearing, the planning commission shall issue a written decision. The decision must include the following statement:
This is the final decision of the Planning Commission. This decision may be appealed to the City Manager. If you appeal, you must file a written notice of appeal with the City Clerk within fourteen (14) calendar days after you receive this decision.
J. The planning director shall furnish a copy of the planning commission’s decision to the appellant by certified mail or other method that provides evidence of receipt.
K. There is no fee for filing a request for relief to the planning director. [Ord. 15-27 § 3.]