Prior to the hearing on adoption of a zoning ordinance or any amendments thereto, Township Council shall refer any such proposed ordinance or amendment thereto to the Planning Board pursuant to the following requirements:

After receipt of the Planning Board report, or after the expiration of the time allocated for delivery of that report, the Township Council shall conduct a public hearing on the merits of the proposed development regulation, revision or amendment.

The Township Council shall evaluate the proposed amendment for its consistency with the Master Plan.

The Township Council may enact an amendment which is in whole or part inconsistent with the Master Plan and which is not designed to effectuate the land use plan or housing plan elements, but only by an affirmative vote of a majority of its full authorized membership. In that instance, the reasons for the action of the Township Council shall be set forth in a resolution and recorded in the minutes of the Township Council.

A protest against any proposed amendment or revision of a zoning ordinance may be filed with the Township Clerk, signed by the owners of 20% or more of the area either of the lots or land included in such proposed change or of the lots or land within 200 feet in all directions therefrom inclusive of street space, whether within or without the Township. In the event such a protest is filed, the amendment or revision shall require the affirmative vote of two-thirds of all members of the Township Council.

No zoning amendment shall be submitted to or adopted by initiative or referendum.