Hearing Examiner

Role & Responsibilities

The Hearing Examiner is responsible for conducting hearings on and adjudicating quasi-judicial cases involving a variety of complex land use and regulatory compliance issues, and other issues which the City Council may designate to the Hearing Examiner by ordinance. The hearing examiner shall issue decisions or recommendations based on relevant ordinances, regulations, policies, statutes, and other authorities. Refer to Bainbridge Island Municipal Code 2.14.030 for detailed information.

• COBI Primary Hearing Examiner: Phil Olbrechts, attorney for Olbrechts & Associates, PLLC.
• Hearings are held online via Zoom. 

Public Comments

Public comment is accepted in writing during the posted dates per the legal noticing. Once the written comment period has ended, no other written comments will be considered unless submitted at the scheduled hearing. Please refer to the specific project notice for detailed information. 

Appeal Period

A decision may be appealed by filing a written appeal containing a summary of grounds for the appeal in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Bainbridge Island Municipal Code, Section 2.16.020. An appeal must be filed no later than 4:00PM on the date listed in the noticing. Submit written appeals to the City Clerk at 280 Madison Avenue North, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110.

Rules

The Bainbridge Island Municipal Code Chapters 2.14 and 2.16 establish the hearing examiner review and appeal procedures. For more information, please refer to the Hearing Examiner Rules of Procedures (PDF). 

Decisions & Recommendations

Please see the below list of Hearing Examiner decisions and recommendations for recent years. To view past decisions and recommendations, please refer to Previous Hearing Examiner Recommendations and Decisions.