(1) As an alternative to those provisions of this chapter requiring a planning commission to hear and issue recommendations for plat approval, the county or city legislative body may adopt a hearing examiner system and shall specify by ordinance the legal effect of the decisions made by the examiner. The legal effect of such decisions shall include one of the following:

(a) The decision may be given the effect of a recommendation to the legislative body;

(b) The decision may be given the effect of an administrative decision appealable within a specified time limit to the legislative body; or

(c) The decision may be given the effect of a final decision of the legislative body.

The legislative authority shall prescribe procedures to be followed by a hearing examiner.

(2) Each final decision of a hearing examiner shall be in writing and shall include findings and conclusions, based on the record, to support the decision. Each final decision of a hearing examiner, unless a longer period is mutually agreed to by the applicant and the hearing examiner, shall be rendered within ten working days following conclusion of all testimony and hearings.

Finding—Severability—Part headings and table of contents not law—1995 c 347: See notes following RCW 36.70A.470.

Severability—1994 c 257: See note following RCW 36.70A.270.

Severability—1977 ex.s. c 213: See note following RCW 35.63.130.