There is established a Hearings Board to carry out some of the duties delegated by the City Council to the Planning Commission under ORS 227.160 to 227.180.

The purpose of the Hearings Board shall be to enable the Planning Commission to focus on broad planning concerns by reducing the number of applications to come before the full Commission; and to assure applicants of a timely hearing before members of the Commission who have sufficient time to devote their full attention to the matters at issue.