KENNEWICK -- The Kennewick City Council discussed Tuesday the pros and cons of switching to a hired hearing examiner instead of keeping a citizen-based board of adjustment.
Lisa Beaton, city attorney, told the council at its Tuesday workshop that land use issues can be complex and challenging for a board of adjustment where citizens are trying to sort out technical land use regulations.
She said using a professional hearing examiner, retained on a contract basis, would be more efficient, quicker and likely would avoid potential legal risk that could result from board decisions where the conclusions don't have adequate findings to support them.
Councilman Paul Parish said he liked the idea because it might result in better decisions and "will take a lot of the drama" out of the process.
But councilmen John Hubbard and Don Britain said they don't want to see citizen involvement in Kennewick government reduced.
"I think it is really important to have citizens involved," Britain said.
Hubbard noted that a citizen-based board of adjustment gives the individual who wants to challenge an issue the opportunity to take it to a board that is independent of city hall.
Beaton said having an independent hearing examiner would serve just as well because the city officials would not be allowed to have contact with the hearing examiner while an issue was being considered.
Marie Mosley, director of support services, told the council that Kennewick's insurance representatives favor having a hearing examiner because land use decisions are one of the highest risk areas for cities. Having a professional instead of a citizen-based board likely would result in better decisions, she said.
The council was short Mayor Steve Young and Councilman Bob Parks on Tuesday, so Mayor Pro Tem Bob Olson recommended the discussion be renewed when the full council is present.
The council also talked about creating a policy for corporate sponsorship of facilities and events that would specify that sponsors be "family friendly."
-- John Trumbo: 509-582-1529; jtrumbo@tricityherald.com
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