Rules. The Planning Board may make rules governing the conduct of hearings before such bodies which rules shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of N.J.S 40:55D-1 et seq. of this chapter.

Oaths. The officer presiding at the hearing or such person as he may designate shall have power to administer oaths and issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of relevant evidence, including witnesses and documents presented by the parties, and the provisions of the “County and Municipal Investigations Law” P.L. 1953, C. 1938 N.J.S 2A:67A-1 et seq. shall apply.

Testimony. The testimony of all witnesses relating to an application for development shall be taken under oath or affirmation by the presiding officer and the right of cross examination shall be permitted to all interested parties through their attorneys, if represented, or directly, if not represented, subject to the discretion of the presiding officer and to reasonable limitations as to time and number of witnesses.

Evidence. Technical rules of evidence shall not be applicable to the hearing, but the Board may exclude irrelevant, immaterial or unduly repetitious evidence.

Records. The Board shall provide for the verbatim recording of the proceedings by either stenographer, mechanical or electronic means at the expense of the Board. The Board shall furnish a transcript or duplicate recording in lieu thereof on request to any interested party at his expense.

Pinelands Commission Participation in Public Hearings. The Pinelands Commission may participate in a hearing held in the Borough of Lakehurst involving the development of land in the Pinelands Area pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:50-4.26.