The Plan Commission Chairman or the President of the Board of Zoning Appeals directs all public hearings, whichever is hearing the proposal. The Board/ Commission members have received a Staff Report in advance of the meeting. This report is prepared by the Planning Department Staff and thoroughly analyzes the proposed project, how it complies with the Comprehensive Plan and the current standards of the Zoning and/or Subdivision Control Ordinance, and discusses pertinent issues and public comment submitted to the file.
Usually the public hearing will open with the Chairman/President calling the meeting to order and calling for the first order of business.
The applicant, or his representative, is then given time to present his proposal in detail.
The Chairman/President will then open the floor to anyone in the public wishing to speak in favor of or against the proposal. The applicant takes down all the questions and concerns from the public and is then allowed time to answer or rebut all of the questions raised.
The Chairman then closes the hearing and allows the Commission or Board Members to ask questions of the applicant. The Board/Commission will then make a motion for one of the following:
- Approve/make favorable recommendation.
- Deny/make unfavorable recommendation.
- Continue the petition for further deliberation.