Hearing Examiner
What is the Hearing Examiner?
Local governments in Washington State have the option of hiring or contracting with a hearing examiner to conduct required quasi-judicial hearings. A hearing examiner is an appointive officer who acts in a manner similar to a judge and typically is an attorney. The basic purpose of having a hearing examiner conduct these hearings is to have a professionally-trained individual make objective quasi-judicial decisions that are supported by an adequate record and that are free from political influences. The City of Poulsbo utilizes the hearing examiner system for certain land use decisions, such as subdivisions, variances, and shoreline permits as well as appeals and various other decisions.
The purpose of a public hearing is for interested people to provide the Hearing Examiner with information and testimony on the subject for which the hearing was convened. Notification of the hearing is published in the newspaper of general circulation, as well as being posted at the project site and at certain official public notice locations. The public hearing is normally an official “on-the-record” hearing which allows the Hearing Examiner to obtain data that will be considered in his/her deliberations following the close of the hearing.
After the meeting, the Hearing Examiner reviews all pertinent data, letters, and testimony from the hearing and issues a written decision. The decision is mailed to all parties of record, which includes anyone who has submitted written comments during the comment period or who testifies during the public hearing.
Cedar View at Glennwood Planned Residential Development
Exhibits 24-31 – Provided to Hearing Examiner on 9/18/26
Parties of record have until 3pm on Monday, September 14, 2026, to provide comment. Only the parties of record who have been nottified may comment on these additional exhibits.
Public Hearing Notice for August 12, 2026 (click on text)
Public meetings are being held as a hybrid virtual/in-person meeting at the web address and call-in number noted below and at Poulsbo City Council Chambers, 200 NE Moe Street, Poulsbo, Washington. The meeting recording can be found a few days after the hearing under Hearing Examiner on the Agenda’s and Minutes page linked HERE. If you would like to see the recording of the hearing once closed please submit a Public Records Request.
Agenda Item 1: Cedar View at Glennwood Estates PRD
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- Staff Report
- Exhibits:
- A – Application
- B – PRD Narrative
- C – Site Plans
- D – Landscape Plans
- E – Lighting Plans
- F – Lot Fit Plans
- G – Design Review
- H – Critical Area Review
- I – Drainage Report
- J – Geotechnical Review
- K – Traffic Review
- L – Tree Protection Plan
- M – Neighborhood Meeting
- N – Public Comment
- O – Noticing
- P – SEPA
- Q – Engineering Memo
Addendum to the Planning Commission Staff Report and Exhibits
Hearing Examiner Decision –
The hearing examiner has requested addtional supporting documentation from the City Staff and Applicant Teams. The hearing examiner kept the record open to recieve specific documents, comments and responses to comments. The Hearing Examiner has recieved these documents and closed the record as of 9/18/26.
Noll Pointe Planned Residential Development and Preliminary Plat
Exhibits 50-56 – Provided to Hearing Examiner on 9/18/26
Parties of record have until 3pm on Monday, September 14, 2026, to provide comment. Only the parties of record who have been nottified may comment on these additional exhibits.
Public Hearing Notice for July 16,2026 (click on text)
Public meetings are being held as a hybrid virtual/in-person meeting at the web address and call-in number noted below and at Poulsbo City Council Chambers, 200 NE Moe Street, Poulsbo, Washington. The meeting recording can be found a few days after the hearing under Hearing Examiner on the Agenda’s and Minutes page linked HERE. If you would like to see the recording of the hearing once closed please submit a Public Records Request.
Agenda Item 1: Noll Pointe PRD and Pre-Plat
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- Staff Report
- Exhibits:
- A – Application
- B – Narrative
- C – Civil plans
- D – Open Space Plans
- E – Landscape Plans
- F – Home Design
- G – Critical Areas Report
- H – Tree Protection Plan
- I – Geotechnical Report
- J – Drainage Report
- K – Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA)
- L – Interlocal Agreement
- M – Neighborhood Meeting
- N – Public Comment
- O – Notice of Application Noticing
- P – Draft DEPA
Addendum to the Planning Commission Staff Report and Exhibits
- Addendum 1 dated 7/6/26 and Exhibits
- NEW Exhibit 49 – Hearing Presentation
- Addendum 2 dated 9/3/26 and Exhibits
Hearing Examiner had issued an Order for Re-opening regarding questions on trees. The Order is available HERE. The requested documents, comments and responses to comments were recieved and sent to the Hearing Examiner as of 4pm on 9/18/26.
Notice of Decision – TBD
Dauntless Townhomes Site Plan Review, Unit lot Subdivision, Design Review and Conditional Use Permit
Public Hearing Notice for July 16th 2026 (click on text)
Public meetings are being held as a hybrid virtual/in-person meeting at the web address and call-in number noted below and at Poulsbo City Council Chambers, 200 NE Moe Street, Poulsbo, Washington. The meeting recording can be found a few days after the hearing under Hearing Examiner on the Agenda’s and Minutes page linked HERE. If you would like to see the recording of the hearing once closed please submit a Public Records Request.
Agenda Item 2: Dauntless Townhomes SPR, CUP, ULS and Design
Addendum to the Planning Commission Staff Report and Exhibits
Hearing Examiner Decision – The Notice of Decision has been issued.