(a) Annual review. The comprehensive plan for the City of Asheville will be monitored and reviewed annually by the planning and development department and a report submitted following this review to the Asheville Planning and Zoning Commission and the Asheville City Council. If the commission or council determines that the report raises issues which merit an amendment to the plan, then the council may initiate an amendment in accordance with the provisions set forth in (b) below.
(b) Amendments to the comprehensive plan. Amendments to the City of Asheville comprehensive plan shall be made in accordance with the following procedures:
(1) An amendment to the comprehensive plan may be approved only by the Asheville City Council, either on its own initiative or at the request of the Asheville Planning and Zoning Commission or any other person or agency.
(2) Asheville City Council and the Asheville Planning and Zoning Commission shall hold at least one public hearing (jointly or separately) on each amendment or group of amendments initiated. Notice of the public hearing shall be provided and the public hearing shall be conducted in accordance with section 7-5-20 of this chapter. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as preventing this public hearing from being held at the same time as a public hearing for the rezoning of a particular tract or parcel affected by the amendment.
(3) In considering the amendment, the Asheville Planning and Zoning Commission and Asheville City Council shall review the proposed amendment, the factors set forth in subsection 7-4-2(b)(4) below, and any oral and written comments received before or at the public hearing. Based on this information, the Asheville Planning and Zoning Commission shall submit a report and recommendation to the Asheville City Council regarding whether or not the proposed amendment should be adopted.
(4) In deciding whether to recommend or adopt a proposed amendment to the comprehensive plan, the Asheville Planning and Zoning Commission and the Asheville City Council shall consider whether the amendment is necessary based on one or more of the following factors:
a. There has been a change in projections or assumptions (such as demographic trends or the availability of public facilities) on which the comprehensive plan is based;
b. Issues or needs have been identified which are not adequately addressed in the comprehensive plan; or
c. The amendment will promote the health, safety, and welfare of the City of Asheville.
(5) Upon receiving the report and recommendation of the Asheville Planning and Zoning Commission, the Asheville City Council may:
a. Adopt the proposed amendment;
b. Revise and adopt the proposed amendment;
c. Reject the proposed amendment;
d. Refer the matter back to the Asheville Planning and Zoning Commission for further consideration or hearing; or
e. Conduct an additional hearing on the proposed amendment.
(Ord. No. 2369, § 1, 5-27-97)