The board of commissioners of the City of Jesup may from time to time, amend the number, shape, boundary, or area of any district or may amend any regulation pertaining to any district; or may amend any article or section of this ordinance. The procedure for amending the ordinance shall be as provided in this article.

A zoning amendment may be proposed by an individual firm or organization; or by any public agency or department of the City of Jesup; or by the board of commissioners; or by the planning commission. Unless initiated by the planning commission, all proposed amendments shall be filed with the board of commissioners through the offices of the planning commission.

Unless initiated by the planning commission, all proposed amendments to the zoning ordinance or zoning map shall be reviewed by the planning commission for recommendation. The planning commission shall study the need and justification for the change based on a determination of the following facts:

123.1 The possible effects of the change in the ordinance or map on the character of a zoning district; a particular piece of property; a neighborhood; a particular area; or the community.

123.2 The relationship that the proposed amendment bears to the purpose of the overall zoning program with due consideration as to whether or not the proposed change will help carry out these purposes as stated in this ordinance.

123.3 When pertaining to a zoning map change, the planning commission shall determine the amount of undeveloped land in the general area affected which has the same district classification as the map change requested.

After completing a study of the proposed amendment, the planning commission shall submit its report to the board of commissioners along with its recommendations as to what action should be taken on the proposals. The planning commission shall submit its report and recommendation to the board of commissioners within 30 days from the date that the proposal was submitted to the planning commission. If the planning commission does not submit its report within the prescribed time, the board of commissioners shall be free to proceed with its own action on the amendment. If the proposed amendment is rejected by the board of commissioners, the planning commission may not accept for study the same or similar proposed amendment for a period not to exceed six months.

The board of commissioners by resolution adopted at a regular or special meeting shall fix the time and place of a public hearing on the proposed amendment and cause 15 days' notice thereof to be given as follows:

124.1 By publishing a notice thereof in one newspaper of general circulation in the city.

124.2 Notice of the proposed zoning change shall also be made by the city clerk by mailing notification by first-class mail to the person or firm to whom the property is assessed, and to all persons or firms to whom the property adjacent to the proposed zoning change is assessed on the city tax rolls.

The notice shall state the general nature of the proposed amendment and that full opportunity to be heard will be given to any citizen and all parties in interest attending such hearing. Wherever a proposed amendment affects a particular property, then there shall be posted upon said property or premises at such place or places as the zoning officer may direct, notice of said proposed amendment.

Every application for amendment of the zoning ordinance shall first be presented to the zoning officer and shall contain the following:

125.1 Applicant's name and address and his representative, and the interest of every person represented in the application.

125.2 A plan showing the extent of the area to be rezoned, streets bounding and intersecting the area, the land use and zone classification of abutting districts and photographs of the area to be rezoned and abutting areas.

125.3 A statement of the circumstances in the proposed district and the abutting districts and any other factors on which the applicant relies as reasons for supporting the proposed rezoning.

125.4 The approximate time schedule for the beginning and completion of development in the area.

125.5 A site plan to scale, indicating the locations of structures, uses, area for off street parking and loading.

125.6 When any person, firm or corporation shall petition the board of commissioners to amend an existing ordinance or pass a new ordinance which is of direct benefit to said person, firm or corporation rather than to the city as a whole, the board of commissioners is hereby authorized to assess to such person, firm or corporation the cost of legal services incurred in connection therewith, as a condition precedent to the passage of the proposed ordinance or amendment.

The following fees shall be paid by the applicant:

(a)

For rezoning, $300.00;

(b)

For a variance, $50.00; and

(c)

For street abandonment, $150.00

(Ord. of 6-5-1990, § 1; Ord. of 10-17-2000, § 8)

All proposed amendments before adoption shall be referred to the city planning commission at least 30 days prior to the public hearing required by section 124, for its recommendation and report which shall not be binding.