Watertown City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XV
Application Procedures
§ 310-145 County approval.
§ 310-146 Conduct of public hearings.
All public hearings as required by this chapter, whether they be conducted by Zoning Board of Appeals or the Commission, shall be conducted in accordance with the following provisions:
A.
No public hearing shall be held unless the required notice for same has been satisfied in accordance with the provisions of § 310-93.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: This subsection was adopted by the City Council 2-21-2023 with the incorrect reference. The correct reference is § 350-147, which requires notice for public hearings.
B.
All hearings shall be open to the public. Any person may appear and testify at such hearing, either in person or by an authorized agent or attorney.
C.
The hearing body shall by general rule prescribe procedures for the conduct of hearings (i.e., Robert's Rules of Order).
D.
The Chair, upon a vote of the majority of members, may continue or defer a hearing, according to one of the following criteria:
(1)
If a hearing has been opened and public testimony has been received and there is cause for continuation of the hearing, no formal notice as required by § 310-93[2] shall be required if the hearing is continued to a specific date; or
[2]
Editor's Note: This subsection was adopted by the City Council 2-21-2023 with the incorrect reference. The correct reference is § 350-147, which requires notice for public hearings.
(2)
If a hearing on a special use permit, a variance, or an amendment to the Zoning Map has not been opened, and there is cause for deferral of the hearing, written notice to adjacent property owners as required shall be remailed, except such notice shall be mailed not less than five days in advance of the public hearing; or
(3)
If a hearing is concluded, but action is deferred until a future date, no formal notice as set forth in this chapter shall be required prior to action being taken.
§ 310-147 Required notice for public hearing.
A.
No public hearing as required by the provisions of this chapter shall be held unless documented evidence can be presented that the following notice requirements have been satisfied. The subject of the public hearing need not be advertised in full, but may be advertised by reference. Every such advertisement shall contain a reference to the place or places within the City where copies of the subject of the public hearing may be examined.
B.
Publication. Public notice of any hearing shall be published once in the official newspaper of the City of Watertown. Such notice shall be published not less than five days nor more than 21 days before the date of the hearing and shall specify the time and place of the hearing and the nature of the matter before the hearing body. Such notice shall be the responsibility of the Planning and Community Development Department.
C.
Notice. With respect to an application for amendment to the Zoning Map, site plan (when required), subdivision, special use permit, an interpretation, and a use or area variance, the Planning and Community Development Department shall send written notice to all owners of property within 200 feet of the exterior boundaries of the subject property. Such written notice shall state the date, time and place of the public hearing, the location of the property, the nature of the proposal, and the name of the applicant. Such written notice shall be postmarked not less than 10 days before the hearing, to the last known address of the owner(s) as shown on the current real property tax roll.
D.
Additional notice. The hearing body may by resolution prescribe additional means and forms of notices in connection with any matter falling within its jurisdiction.