A proposal to amend this bylaw may be submitted, in writing, to the Planning Board by the Select Board, the Board of Appeals, by an individual owning land to be affected by the proposed change or addition, by request of registered voters, by the Planning Board, or by the Old Colony Planning Council. All proposals shall include a brief written description of the intent and the purpose of the proposed amendment.

A proposal to amend this bylaw which affects the Zoning Map shall include words of boundary description together with three black-line prints of the area to be affected showing existing lines and proposed lines, stating all pertinent dimensions in feet. All such proposals shall also include a brief written description of the purpose and intent of the proposed amendment.

Within 14 days following the receipt of any proposal to amend the zoning bylaw, the Select Board shall submit the same to the Planning Board for its review.

Within 65 days following receipt by the Planning Board of a proposed amendment to this bylaw, it shall hold a public hearing concerning the same. Notice of the public hearing, including the time and place of the public hearing, the subject matter, sufficient for identification and of the place where texts and maps thereof may be examined, shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the Town once in each of two successive weeks; the first publication to be not less than 14 days before the day of the hearing. The same notice shall be posted not less than 14 days prior to the public hearing in a conspicuous place in the Town Hall.

Notice of any such hearings shall also be sent, postage prepaid, to the Department of Housing and Community Development, the Old Colony Planning Council and to the Planning Boards of Randolph, Holbrook, Brockton, and Stoughton.

No vote to adopt any proposed amendment to the zoning bylaw shall be taken until a report, with recommendations, has been submitted to the Town Meeting, or 21 days have elapsed following the public hearing by the Planning Board, without the submission of such report.

Upon the submission of a report by the Planning Board, or at the expiration of 21 days following the public hearing by the Planning Board without the submission of a report, the Town Meeting may adopt, amend, or reject any such proposed amendment to the zoning bylaw.

If the Town Meeting fails to act with respect to any such proposed amendment to the zoning bylaw within six months following the date of the public hearing by the Planning Board, no action shall be then taken unless another public hearing is held with notice and report as provided herein.

A two-thirds vote of those present and voting shall be necessary to adopt any proposed amendment to the zoning bylaw.

No proposed amendment which has been unfavorably acted upon by a Town Meeting shall be considered again by the Town within two years following the date of such unfavorable action unless adoption of the proposed amendment is recommended in the final report of the Planning Board.

Following adoption by the Town Meeting, proposed amendments to the zoning bylaw shall be forwarded to the Department of the Attorney General for approval, as required by MGL c. 40, § 32. A statement prepared by the Planning Board, which explains the proposed amendment, shall accompany such submissions.