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. The provisions of the "County and Municipal Investigations Law," P.L. 1953, c. 38 (C. 2A:67A-1 et seq.) shall apply.

The testimony of all witnesses relating to an application for development shall be taken under oath or affirmation by the presiding officer. 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.

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