A.

For the purpose of establishing and maintaining sound, stable and desirable development within the limits of the City of Norway, the zoning ordinance may be amended to correct an error in this Ordinance, to reflect a change in city policy, to respond to changed or changing conditions in a particular area or the city in general, to rezone an area, to extend the boundaries of an existing zoning district or to change the regulations and restrictions of the zoning ordinance.

B.

Only the city council may amend this Ordinance. Proposals for amendment or changes may be initiated by the city council on its own motion, by the planning commission or by an individual.

A.

If the amendment is to propose a change to the text of this Ordinance, the petitioner shall transmit proposed language for consideration to zoning administrator, who shall in turn transmit the proposed language to the planning commission. The petitioner shall explain the reasons for the change and any benefit or interest to be gained.

B.

When the amendment involves a proposed change in the zoning map (rezoning), the petitioner shall submit the following information to the zoning administrator:

1.

A legal description of the property;

2.

A scaled map of the property, correlated with the legal description, and clearly showing the property's location;

3.

The name and address of the petitioner;

4.

The petitioner's interest in the property;

5.

Date of filing with the zoning administrator;

6.

Signatures of petitioner(s) and owner(s) certifying the accuracy of the required information; and

7.

The desired change and reasons for such change.

In viewing any petition for a zoning amendment, the planning commission shall identify and evaluate all factors relevant to the petition. All findings of fact shall be made part of the public hearing.

A.

An application for amendment shall be submitted to the zoning administrator, accompanied by the proper fee, and then referred to the planning commission for their review at a public hearing.

B.

The planning commission may refuse to schedule a hearing on a petition for rezoning which includes any portion of a site considered for rezoning within the previous six months.

C.

When a public hearing is required in the administration of this Ordinance, the planning commission shall comply with the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act, PA 110 of 2006 and the requirements listed in section 1403.

D.

Following the public hearing, the planning commission shall submit the proposed zoning ordinance amendment, any applicable maps, and their recommendation to the city council, along with a summary of the comments received at the public hearing.

E.

Upon receipt of the proposed amendment, a public hearing may be held by the city council. Notice of the public hearing shall be published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation in the Norway Area. The notice shall meet the requirements listed in section 1403. The notice shall appear in the newspaper no less than 15 days prior to the date of the public hearing.

F.

The city council at a regular meeting or at a special meeting called for that purpose shall consider and vote upon the adoption of the amendment. An amendment shall be approved by a majority vote of the city council, except in the case of a protest petition. The city council shall not make a change or departure from the plans, text, or maps as certified by the planning commission, unless the proposed change or departure is first submitted to the planning commission for its advice and suggestions. The planning commission shall have 30 days from the receipt of the proposed changes or departure to send its report to the city council.

G.

Upon presentation of a protest petition meeting the requirement of this subsection, an amendment to a zoning ordinance which is the object of the petition shall be passed by a two-thirds vote of the city council. The protest petition shall be presented to the city clerk at or before the public hearings, and shall be signed by one of the following:

1.

The owners of at least 20 percent of the area of land, excluding publicly owned lands, included in the proposed change.

2.

The owners of at least 20 percent of the area of land, excluding publicly owned lands, included within an area extending outward 100 feet from any point on the boundary of the land included in the proposed change.

H.

Notice of adoption of an amendment shall be published in accordance with the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act, Public Act 110 of 2006, as amended.

A.

The general standards to be considered by the planning commission shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

1.

Whether the requested zoning change is justified by a change in conditions since the original ordinance was adopted or by an error in the original ordinance;

2.

Whether the requested zoning change is consistent with local plans and policies;

3.

The precedents, and the possible effects of such precedents, which might likely result from approval or denial of the petition;

4.

The ability of the city or other government agencies to provide any services, facilities, and/or programs that might be required if the petition is approved;

5.

Whether there are any significant and negative environmental impacts which would potentially occur if the petitioned zoning change occurred and resulting permitted structures were built, including but not limited to, surface water drainage problems, wastewater disposal problems, or the loss of locally valuable natural resources;

6.

Effect of approval of the petition on adopted development policies of the city and other governmental units.

EFFECTIVE DATE

This ordinance shall become effective 15 days after adoption and publication by the city council in accordance with the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act, Public Act 110 of 2006 and the City Charter.

ADOPTED: February 15, 2021.

PUBLISHED NOTICE OF ADOPTION: February 19, 2021 — Iron Mountain Daily News.

EFFECTIVE: March 1, 2021.