The regulations imposed and the districts created under the authority of this ordinance may be amended from time to time, by ordinance in accordance with applicable statutes of the State of Michigan. An amendment shall be granted or denied by the city commission only after a public hearing before the planning commission and a report of its findings and recommendations has been submitted to the city commission.

Amendments may be proposed by the city commission, by the planning commission, the city board of appeals, other governmental bodies, or by any resident or owner of property within the jurisdictional limits of this ordinance.

All petitions for amendments to this ordinance, without limiting the right to file additional material, shall contain the following:

1.

The petitioner's name, address and interest in the petition as well as the name, address and interest of every person, firm or corporation having a legal or equitable interest in the land.

2.

The nature and effect of the proposed amendment.

3.

If the proposed amendment would require a change in the zoning map, a site plan prepared in accordance with article XIX, a legal description of such land, the present zoning classification of the land, the zoning classification of all abutting districts, all public and private rights-of-way and easements bounding and intersecting the land under consideration.

4.

If the proposed amendment would require a change in the zoning map, the names and addresses of the owners, according to the current tax roll, of all land within 300 feet of the perimeter of the area to be changed by the proposed amendment.

5.

The alleged error in this ordinance which would be corrected by the proposed amendment, with a detailed explanation of such alleged error and detailed reasons why the proposed amendment will correct the same.

6.

The changed or changing conditions in the area or in the municipality which make the proposed amendment reasonable and necessary to the promotion of the public health, safety and general welfare.

7.

All other circumstances, factors and reasons which applicant offers in support of the proposed amendment.

An application for an amendment shall be filed with the city clerk and thereafter reviewed by the city commission. Such an application shall be forwarded from the city commission to the planning commission, with a request to hold a public hearing.

Before submitting its recommendations on the petition to amend, the planning commission shall hold at least one public hearing notice of which shall be given by two publications in a newspaper of general circulation in the city, the first to be printed not more than 30 days nor less than 20 days and the second not more than eight days before the date of such hearing. In addition, the following procedures shall be required:

1.

Not less than 20 days' notice of the time and place of such hearing shall be given by mail to each electric, gas, pipeline and telephone public utility company which registers its name and mailing address with the city planning commission for the purpose of receiving such notice, and to each railroad operating within the district or zone affected. An affidavit of mailing shall be maintained.

2.

If an individual property is proposed for rezoning, the planning commission shall give a notice of public hearing thereof to the owner of the property in question, to all persons to whom any real property within 300 feet of the premises in question is assessed, and to the occupants of all single- and two-family dwellings within 300 feet. Such notice shall be given at least eight days prior to the hearing. The notice shall be delivered personally or by mail to the respective owners and tenants at the address given in the last assessment roll. If the tenant's name is not known, the term "occupant" may be used. If the notice is delivered by mail, an affidavit of mailing shall be filed with the planning commission prior to the hearing.

3.

All notices of public hearing shall state the time, date, place and purpose of such public hearing.

4.

Following the public hearing, the planning commission shall submit the proposed amendment to the county planning commission for approval. The approval of the county planning commission shall be conclusively presumed unless the county planning commission within 30 days of receipt notifies the city clerk of its disapproval.

5.

The city planning commission shall then refer the proposed amendment to the city commission along with its summary of the public hearing and written recommendations for approval or disapproval and reasons therefor.

6.

A public hearing conducted by the city commission shall not be necessary unless a request is made in writing by a property owner. If a hearing is requested, notice of the public hearing must be published not less than five days or more than 15 days before the hearing.

7.

Thereafter at any regular meeting or any special meeting called therefor the city commission may adopt and enact the proposed amendment, in accordance with Act 207, P.A. 1921 (MCL 125.581 et seq.), as amended, being the City and Village Zoning Act.

Upon enactment, the zoning ordinance, as well as subsequent amendments or supplements, shall be filed with the city clerk, and one notice of ordinance adoption shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the city within 15 days after adoption. The notice shall include the following information:

1.

In the case of a newly adopted zoning ordinance, the following statement: "A zoning ordinance regulating the development and use of land has been adopted by the city commission of the City of Watervliet."

2.

In the case of an amendment to an existing ordinance, a summary of the regulatory effect of the amendment including the geographic area affected.

3.

The effective date of the ordinance.

4.

The place and time where a copy of the ordinance may be purchased or inspected.

Within seven days after publication, the amendment to the zoning ordinance shall be filed in the official ordinance book of the city with a certification of the city clerk stating the vote on passage and when published and filed. If the amendment requires a change on the official zoning map, such change shall be made on the map in accordance with provisions of article I of this ordinance within ten days after enactment of the amendment.