The Dalles City Council is considering the merits of using a hearings officer to review land-use applications that require decision making beyond administrative processes.  Those applications currently go to the Planning Commission, but many jurisdictions in Oregon, including Wasco County, have moved to using a third-party impartial land-use attorney instead.  City Manager Matthew Klebes says this would allow the Planning Commission to focus on broader policy issues.  Community Development Director Joshua Chandler said staff is proposing allocating $10,000 in the upcoming fiscal year for a hearings officer to deal with what usually is seven to eight applications that require this kind of process.  All hearings officer decisions could still be appealed to the City Council.  Chandler told the Council, which was generally supportive of the idea, that he will provide more specific information at an upcoming meeting.