This appendix, including the Official Zoning Map, Trenton Georgia may be amended from time to time. If, at the time of proposed amendment, there is in existence a functioning Trenton Planning Commission, no such amendment shall become effective unless it shall have been proposed by, or shall first have been submitted to, the Trenton Planning Commission for review and recommendation. The Trenton Planning Commission shall have 30 days within which to submit its report. If the planning commission fails to submit a report within the 30-day period it shall be deemed to have approved the proposed amendment. If, at the time of a proposed amendment, no Trenton Planning Commission is in existence and functioning, none of the requirements regarding said commission shall be required in order for an amendment to this appendix to become effective.

Before enacting an amendment to this appendix, the city commission shall have a public hearing thereon. At least 15 but not more then 45 days prior to the date of the public hearing, the city commission shall cause to be published with a newspaper of general circulation within the City of Trenton notice of the hearing. The notice shall state the time, place, and purpose of the hearings. The notice shall also include the location of the property, the zoning classification for the property and the proposed amendment. A sign, containing the required public notice information shall be placed in a conspicuous location on the property not less than 15 days prior to the hearing.

If the zoning decision before the city commission is for the rezoning of property and the amendment to the zoning ordinance to accomplish the rezoning is defeated by the city commission, then the same property may not again be considered for rezoning until the expiration of at least six months immediately following the defeat of the rezoning by the city commission.

Trenton shall consider the following when considering an amendment to the zoning ordinance or map:

(1)

Existing land uses and zoning of nearby property;

(2)

The extent to which the property values of the subject property are diminished by the particular zoning restrictions;

(3)

The extent to which the destruction of property values of the subject property promotes the health, safety, morals or general welfare of the public;

(4)

The relative gain to the public, as compared to the hardship imposed upon the individual property owner;

(5)

The suitability of the subject property for the then zoned purposes;

(6)

The length of time the property has been vacant as zoned considered in the context of land development in the area in the vicinity of the property;

(7)

Whether the zoning proposal will result in a use which will or could cause an excessive or burdensome use of existing streets, transportation facilities, utilities, or schools;

(8)

If the city commission has an adopted land use plan, whether the zoning proposal is in conformity with the policy and intent of the land use plan.

Any amendment to the zoning ordinance requiring a change in district boundaries shall be shown on the official zoning map on the date the amendment becomes effective. Such change shall be noted, dated and signed by the Mayor of the City of Trenton.

From time to time at intervals of not less than five years, the planning commission, if existing shall re-examine the provisions of this appendix and the location of district boundary lines and may recommend changes as may be desirable in the interest of public safety, health, convenience, necessity, land use and/or the general welfare.