A. The hearing examiner’s decision or recommendation shall contain the required elements of quasi-judicial final decisions in Section 2.18.150.

B. At the conclusion of oral testimony at a public hearing, the hearing examiner may establish the date and time at which the public record will close. The public record may be extended beyond the public hearing for the purpose of allowing written testimony to be submitted. The extension shall not exceed ten (10) working days after the conclusion of oral testimony. All decisions of the hearing examiner shall be rendered within ten (10) working days after the date the public record closes.

C. The hearing examiner’s decision shall be based upon the policies of the comprehensive planning documents of the city, shoreline master program, the standards set forth in the various development regulations of the city or any other applicable program adopted by the city council. When acting upon any of the above applications or appeals, the hearing examiner may grant or deny the application, or may attach reasonable conditions, modifications and restrictions found necessary to make the project compatible with its location and to carry out the goals and policies of the applicable comprehensive plan, shoreline master program, or other applicable plans or programs adopted by the city council.

D. The decision of the hearing examiner on all matters is final and conclusive, unless appealed to Grays Harbor County superior court as provided for in this code or the city of Aberdeen shoreline master program.

E. Upon issuance of the hearing examiner’s decision, the city staff shall transmit a copy of the decision by first class mail to the last address provided to the city by the applicant and send a notice of the decision by first class mail to other interested parties requesting the same.