What is the procedure for holding a public hearing before a municipal board or commission?

In Virginia, any municipal board or commission must hold a public hearing before issuing any decision that affects the general public. The procedure for the hearing is outlined in the Virginia Code. First, the board or commission must give public notice of the proposed hearing. This notice must include the time and place of the hearing, the purpose of the hearing, and a general description of the proposal. Depending on the nature of the proposal, an informational hearing may be required to provide more information to the public. Second, the board or commission must give the public an opportunity to attend the hearing and provide evidence. This may be done through a call for public comment or through an open question-and-answer session. Third, the board must consider the evidence and public opinion when making its decision. This includes considering written documents, reports, and statements from the public. The board or commission must also produce a written report of the hearing, detailing all evidence and public comment. Finally, a vote will be taken to either approve or reject the proposal. If the board or commission approves the proposal, the board must immediately vote to adopt the decision. Overall, this procedure allows the board or commission to base its decision on public opinion and evidence before making a final determination. This ensures that the public has a say in the decision-making process.

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