The mayor and board of aldermen may from time to time on its own motion or on petition, from a property owner, or on recommendation of the planning commission, amend the regulations and districts herein established. All amendments shall be forwarded to the planning commission for their review, comments, and recommendations to the mayor and board of aldermen.

No change in regulation, restrictions or district boundaries shall become effective until after a public hearing is held by the planning commission, at which interested agencies and citizens shall have an opportunity to be heard. At least 15 days' notice of the time and place of such hearing shall be published in an official paper, or paper of general circulation.

Each amendment shall be voted upon in accordance with local ordinances or state statutes except in a case of a protest against such change. If the planning commission has advised against a proposed change or if a protest against such a change is presented and is signed by the owners of 20 percent or more either of the area of lots included in such proposed change, or of those within a radius of 160 feet of the area in such proposed change, such amendments shall not become effective except by the favorable vote of two-thirds of all the members of the board of aldermen of the City of Pass Christian, Mississippi.

A fee of $50.00 shall be paid by the applicant for each zoning petition for amendment to the zoning regulation to cover the cost of legal publication and processing.

For the purpose of a hearing under this article, the chairman, or in his absence, the presiding officer of the planning commission, may administer oaths and compel the attendance of witnesses by subpoena. No member of the planning commission shall participate in any hearing in which he has a pecuniary or special interest.

Editor's note— The current fees imposed under this section shall be as established by the mayor and board of aldermen from time to time and on file in the office of the city clerk.