A. LUC 20.35.100 through 20.35.140 contain the procedures the City will use in implementing Process I. This process begins with a complete application, followed by notice to the public of the application and a public comment period, during which time an informational meeting will be held. If required by the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) a threshold determination will be issued by the Environmental Coordinator. The threshold determination may be issued in conjunction with issuance of the Director’s recommendation on the application. If an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is required, however, the threshold determination will be issued early and the EIS will be completed prior to issuance of the Director’s recommendation. If the requirement to prepare an EIS or a supplemental EIS is appealed by the applicant, that appeal will also be resolved prior to issuance of the Director’s recommendation.

B. Following issuance of the Director’s recommendation, a public hearing will be held before the City Hearing Examiner. If a SEPA Determination of Nonsignificance (DNS) was issued (no EIS required) and an appeal of the DNS has been filed, the appeal hearing on the DNS will be combined with the public hearing on the Director’s recommendation. Following the public hearing, the Hearing Examiner will issue a written report which will set forth a decision to approve, approve with modifications, or deny the application. The Examiner’s report will also include a final City decision on any DNS or other Process II appeal.

C. The decision of the Hearing Examiner on a Process I application is the final City decision on a Process I application. A final decision by the Hearing Examiner on a Process I application may be appealed to Superior Court as set forth in LUC 20.35.070.

D. Subject to LUC 20.35.070, the applicant may commence activity or obtain other required approvals authorized by the Process I decision the day following the Hearing Examiner’s final decision approving or approving with modifications the Process I application. Activity commenced before the expiration of the full appeal period in LUC 20.35.070 is at the sole risk of the applicant. (Ord. 6673, 8-1-22, § 4; Ord. 4972, 3-3-97, § 3)