Sec. 11. (a) A hearing officer designated by the commission may conduct the public hearing provided for in this chapter on applications for a certificate of appropriateness. The commission may limit by rule or resolution the applications that a hearing officer may hear and determine.

     (b) The hearing officer shall hold a public hearing under the same notice and procedural requirements as are applicable to a hearing before the commission. After the hearing on an application for a certificate of appropriateness, the hearing officer shall make a determination.

     (c) The hearing officer may not issue a certificate of authorization.

     (d) The hearing officer shall set forth the reasons for the determination and may impose conditions in accordance with section 10 of this chapter.

     (e) The commission shall provide reasonable opportunity by rules for the applicant, any commission member, the administrator, or any interested person to file exceptions to the determination of the hearing officer. If an exception is properly filed, the commission shall hold a de novo hearing and make a determination. If such an exception is not filed, the determination of the hearing officer constitutes the final decision of the commission.

As added by Acts 1982, P.L.77, SEC.6.