Proposals for amendments to the text of this chapter and the boundaries of the zoning district map may be initiated by the Township Board or the planning commission, upon their own resolution, or by petition of one or more owners of property to be affected by the proposed amendment.

(Zoning Ord. 2020, § 12.1, 1-5-2021)

(a)

Application. Petitions for amendments by individual property owners shall be submitted to the zoning administrator on a standard application form provided and shall be accompanied by a fee in accordance with the duly adopted schedule of fees, to cover administrative and publication costs. No part of such fee shall be returnable to the petitioner if the public hearing is held.

(b)

Referral to planning commission. All proposals for amendment shall be referred to the planning commission for their review and recommendation. The planning commission shall consider each proposal for amendment in terms of its own judgment on particular factors related to the individual proposal, the most likely effect on the community's physical development, and conformance with the Township master plan. The planning commission may recommend any additions or modifications to the original amendment proposal.

(c)

Action of the Township Board.

(1)

Upon receipt of recommendation from the planning commission and the county planning commission, the Township Board shall consider the proposed amendment. The Township Board may hold any additional hearings it deems necessary. Notice of a public hearing held by the Township Board shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the Township not more than 15 days nor less than five days before the hearing.

(2)

If the Township Board shall deem any changes to the proposed amendment advisable, it shall refer the same to the planning commission for a report within a time specified by the Township Board. After receiving the report, the Township Board shall grant a hearing on the proposed amendment to a property owner who by certified mail addressed to the Township Clerk requests a hearing. The Township Board shall request the planning commission to attend the hearing.

(3)

Thereafter, the Township Board may adopt the amendment with or without changes by majority vote in accordance with procedures of Public Act No. 110 of 2006, as amended.

(4)

No application for a rezoning which has been denied by the Township Board shall be resubmitted for a period of one year from the date of the last denial, except on grounds of newly discovered evidence or proof of changed conditions found upon inspection by the Township Board to be valid.

(Zoning Ord. 2020, § 12.2, 1-5-2021)

Amendments adopted by the Township Board shall be filed with the Township Clerk and one notice of amendment adoption shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the Township within 15 days after adoption. The notice of amendment adoption shall contain the following information: either a summary of the regulatory effect of the amendment, including the geographic area affected, or the text of the amendment; the effective date of the amendment; and the time and place where a copy of the amendment may be purchased or inspected.

(Zoning Ord. 2020, § 12.3, 1-5-2021)

An amendment for the purpose of conforming a provision of this chapter to the decree of a court of competent jurisdiction as to any specific lands may be adopted by the Township Board and the notice of the adopted amendment published without referring the amendment to any other board or agency provided for in this Act.

(Zoning Ord. 2020, § 12.4, 1-5-2021)