Petitions for amendments to this Zoning Code and/or the Zoning Map shall be filed with the Zoning Officer to be forwarded to the Planning Commission, following review, within one week. A petition shall consist of the following:

   (a)   A letter addressed to the Ellwood City Borough Council requesting the amendment.

   (b)   The identity of the property and/or properties to be affected by the requested amendment.

   (c)   The existing zoning district.

   (d)   The requested change to the zoning district, if any, and/or the sections or sections of Zoning Code to be amended.

   (e)   A description of the amendment requested.

   (f)   The reason(s) for the request for amendment.

   (g)   The present uses of properties in the area of the requested amendment.

   (h)   Proposed uses of properties owned and/or under the control of the applicant to be affected by the requested amendment.

   Any support information shall be provided when determined to be necessary by the Zoning Officer, the Planning Commission, Council and/or the Borough Engineer.

(Ord. 2210. Passed 4-21-97.)

   (a)   Following review of a petition by the Zoning Officer and referral thereof to the Planning Commission, the Planning Commission shall hold at least one public meeting pursuant to public notice and may hold more as it may deem advisable.

   (b)   Within at least ninety days from the date of the receipt of the application by the Planning Commission it shall present to Council the proposed zoning amendment, together with recommendations and explanatory materials.

   (c)   Copies of the Planning Commission's actions as described in this section shall be forwarded to the applicant by the Secretary of the Planning Commission.

   (d)   Within at least ninety days from receipt of the report from the Planning Commission, the Council shall hold a public hearing pursuant to public notice.

   (e)   At least forty-five days prior to such public hearing the Borough Secretary/Treasurer shall submit the proposed amendment(s) to the Lawrence or Beaver County Planning Commission, whichever is applicable.

   (f)   If the proposed amendment involves changing the Zoning Map, notice of the public hearing of Council shall be conspicuously posted at points deemed sufficient along the perimeter of the tract to notify potentially interested citizens. Such posting shall be done one week prior to the hearing. (Ord. 2210. Passed 4-21-97.)

   A land owner who desires to challenge on substantive grounds the validity of this Zoning Code or the Zoning Map, or any provision thereof which prohibits or restricts the use or development of land in which he or she has an interest, may submit a curative amendment to the Ellwood City Borough Council with a written request that his or her challenge and proposed amendment be heard as provided in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (Act 170 of 1988). As with other proposed amendments, the curative amendment shall be referred to the Ellwood City Planning Commission and the Beaver County or Lawrence County Planning Commission, whichever is applicable, at least thirty days prior to the date of the hearing conducted by Council.

(Ord. 2210. Passed 4-21-97.)