Whenever the public necessity, convenience, general welfare, or good zoning practice require, and subject to the requirements of Code of Virginia, § 15.2-2285, the regulations, restrictions and district boundaries established by this chapter may be amended, supplemented or repealed by ordinance adopted by the town council.

(Ord. of 3-27-89, § 15-23)

Amendments to this chapter may be initiated by any of the following methods:

(1)

Resolution of town council. The town council may, by its own resolution, initiate an ordinance to amend any of the provisions of this chapter, including the official zoning district map. Such resolution shall state the public purpose for the amendment.

(2)

Motion of planning commission. The planning commission may, by adoption of a motion, initiate an amendment to any of the provisions of this chapter, including the official zoning district map. Such motion shall state the public purpose for the amendment and shall be forwarded to the town council, which shall cause an ordinance to be prepared.

(3)

Petition of property owner. A petition to change the zoning classification of property by amendment to the official zoning district map may be filed by the owner of such property or, with the written consent of the owner, the contract purchaser of the property or any agent of the owner. Such petition, addressed to the town council, shall be filed with the zoning administrator on forms provided by the zoning administrator for such purpose and shall be accompanied by the required fee, a certified plat, legal description or such other documentation as prescribed by policy established by the zoning administrator. The zoning administrator shall forward the petition to the town council, which shall cause an ordinance to be prepared.

(Ord. of 3-27-89, § 15-24)

(a)

No ordinance to amend the provisions of this chapter, including the official zoning district map, shall be acted upon by the town council unless the amendment shall have been referred to the planning commission for its recommendation. Failure of the commission to make a recommendation and report same to the town council within 90 days after the first regular meeting of the commission after the amendment was referred to it shall be deemed approval.

(b)

Before taking action on any amendment referred to it by the town council, the planning commission shall give notice as required by Code of Virginia, § 15.2-2204, and shall hold a public hearing thereon. The zoning administrator shall submit a written report and recommendation regarding the amendment to the planning commission prior to its scheduled public hearing.

(Ord. of 3-27-89, § 15-25)

Cross reference— Planning commission, § 2-26 et seq.

(a)

Before taking action on any ordinance to amend the provisions of this chapter, including the official zoning district map, the town council shall give notice as required by Code of Virginia, § 15.2-2204, and shall hold a public hearing thereon.

(b)

After giving notice and holding a public hearing, the town council may make appropriate changes or corrections in the proposed amendment, provided that no land may be zoned to a more intensive use classification than was contained in the public notice without an additional public hearing after notice required by Code of Virginia, § 15.2-2204.

(c)

Ordinances to amend the provisions of this chapter shall be enacted in the same manner as all other ordinances.

(Ord. of 3-27-89, § 15-26)

Cross reference— Adoption of ordinances, § 2-15.

The town council and the planning commission may hold a joint public hearing on any proposed amendment, subject to the requirements of Code of Virginia, § 15.2-2204.

(Ord. of 3-27-89, § 15-27)

Upon rejection by the town council of a proposed amendment to the official zoning district map by petition of a property owner, contract purchaser or agent of a property owner, substantially the same petition shall not be considered again by the town council within one year of the date of such rejection.

(Ord. of 3-27-89, § 15-28)

A filing fee of $250.00 each request to change the zoning classification of a piece of property.

(Ord. of 3-27-89, § 15-29; Ord. of 4-28-03(1))