§ 27-154. Planning Board procedures.

(a)

The Planning Board shall decide whether it will hold a hearing on each case (after receiving the Technical Staff Report).

(b)

If the Board does not decide to hear a case within fifteen (15) days after the Technical Staff Report has been publicly released (or at its first meeting after its release if none had occurred within the fifteen (15) days), the Technical Staff's recommendation shall constitute the Planning Board's recommendation. In this event, the report shall immediately be transmitted to the District Council, together with the application and all other record material.

(c)

If the Board decides to hear the case, it shall set a hearing date which shall be at least thirty (30) days after deciding to hear the case. The Board shall notify (in writing) all persons of record, and all other persons who requested (in writing) a copy of the Technical Staff Report, of the hearing date.

(d)

Prior to or at the Planning Board's hearing, the applicant and any other person may submit written responses to the Technical Staff Report, together with any supporting material. If it is not foldable, the material shall be not larger than eighteen (18) by twenty-four (24) inches. The responses shall become a part of the record that will be forwarded to the District Council.

(e)

The following procedures shall be observed at the Planning Board:

(1)

No one shall present evidence after the hearing is concluded, unless a rehearing is ordered.

(2)

All hearings shall be open to the public.

(3)

The Planning Board shall make its recommendation only on the basis of the record before it.

(4)

Any action shall be by a resolution adopted at a regularly scheduled public meeting.

(5)

The resolution shall be transmitted to the District Council, together with the original application and all other record material pertaining to the Zoning Map Amendment application.

(6)

Copies of the minutes of the Planning Board hearing shall be available for public inspection. The minutes may be copied by anyone during normal working hours.