Hearing Examiner
Purpose
An independent Hearing Examiner conducts hearings to interpret general polices and regulations adopted by the City Council to specific proposals or situations. Hearings are conducted on land use applications and appeals from decisions of City departments.
Hearings
Public hearings are conducted by the Hearing Examiner to determine facts and hear arguments as to how existing laws, ordinances, and VMC apply to the land use application or other matters being considered. Participants use the hearing to provide relevant information and express points of view. Submission may be presented orally or in writing
During the public comment period you will only be able to provide oral testimony. You can also submit documents as a supplemental exhibit for the record. If you do wish to submit any documents, please make the request to the Hearing Examiner during your testimony.
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Post-Hearing Testimony will be accepted in the following manner:
Anyone wishing to provide written post-hearing testimony for the projects on the current docket may email their comments to: Clarissa.bowen@cityofvancouver.us .
Here is the post-hearing timeline for PRJ-168163 / LUP-84887 Hidden Spring Subdivision
- The record is held open two business days – through 12/18/2025 – for public comment from members of the public who tried to join the virtual hearing but were unable to join/make comment for technology or access reasons.
- If there is no post hearing comment, the record closes on 12/18/2025 and the 10-business day decision deadline will be 1/5/2026.
- If there is post-hearing comment, Staff and Applicant representatives have two business days to respond – or through close of business 12/22/2025 to respond in writing, the record will close on 12/22/2025 and the 10-business day decision deadline will be 1/7/2026
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Decisions
Depending on the type of application or appeal being considered, the Hearing Examiner’s findings will either be a recommendation to the City Council, or a final decision that may be appealed to City Council.
Decision types
The Hearing Examiner makes decisions on appeals of Type I and Type II administrative land use decisions, Type III land use applications.
Recommendations
The Hearing Examiner makes recommendations to City Council on Type IV land use applications.
