In amending the text of this chapter or in amending the zoning map, the procedure shall be as follows:

   (A)   Initiation of proposals of amendments. Any individual, corporation, or agency, public or private, including the Town Council, the Planning Commission and any department or agency of the town, may initiate a proposal for an amendment.

   (B)   Request. The request shall be submitted in writing to the Zoning Administrator, along with payment of a zoning amendment fee, which may be established by the South Congaree Town Council.

(1985 Code, § 9-226)

   No separate zoning district of less than two (2) acres shall be created by any amendment of this chapter, with the exception of that street frontage known as Main Street (Highway 302) when the use is for commercial purposes only.

(1985 Code, § 9-228)

   (A)   All proposed amendments shall be submitted to the Planning Commission for reasonable study and recommendation.

   (B)   The Planning Commission shall study the proposals to determine:

      (1)   The need and justification for the change;

      (2)   When pertaining to a change in the district classification of the property, the effect of the change, if any, on the property and on surrounding properties;

      (3)   When pertaining to a change in the district classifications of property, the amount of land in the general area and in the town having the same district classification as that requested; and

      (4)   The relationship of the proposed amendment to the purposes of the general planning program, with appropriate consideration as to whether the proposed change will further the purposes of this chapter and the comprehensive plan.

(1985 Code, § 9-229)

   (A)   All proposed amendments shall be submitted to the Zoning Administrator, who shall then refer the proposals for amendment to the Planning Commission.

   (B)   The Planning Commission shall have 30 days within which to submit a report and recommendation to the Town Council.

   (C)   The recommendation shall be advisory only.

   (D)   If the Planning Commission does not submit its report within the prescribed time, the Town Council shall proceed to act on the proposed amendment.

(1985 Code, § 9-230)

   Before enacting an amendment to this chapter, the South Congaree Town Council or the Planning Commission, if authorized by the governing authority, shall hold a public hearing thereon, according to procedures outlined in this chapter.

(1985 Code, § 9-231)

   (A)   In scheduling a public hearing concerning zoning amendments, the Town Council shall give public notice in a newspaper of general circulation in the Town of South Congaree; once at least 15 days prior thereto, which notice shall state the time, date and place of the hearing, shall be, blocked in, and shall have an appropriate descriptive title.

   (B)   When a proposed amendment affects the district classification of particular pieces of property, the Zoning Administrator shall cause to be conspicuously located on the property affected one (1) hearing notice for every 100 feet of street frontage or portion, thereof.

   (C)   The notice shall be posted at least 15 days prior to the hearing and shall indicate the nature of the change proposed, identification of the property affected, and time, date and place of the hearing. The notice shall be promptly removed following the scheduled public hearing.

(1985 Code, § 9-232)

   The Town Council shall not consider a proposed amendment to the zoning map if the amendment requests a change to the same zoning classification for the same lot, parcel or portion thereof, for a period of one (1) year from the date of fina1 determination of the prior request unless the Planning Commission recommends to the Town Council that the reconsideration be given, after the Planning Commission has found that either: (a) there has been a substantial change in the character of the area; or (b) evidence or factors or conditions exist which were not considered by the Planning Commission or the Town Council in previous deliberations which might substantially alter the basis upon which the previous determination was reached.

(1985 Code, § 9-233)