Proposals for amendment, supplement, change, modification or repeal may be initiated by the Township Council on its own motion, by the Planning Commission or by petition of one or more owners of property to be affected by the proposed amendment, subject to the following provisions:
1. Proposals Originated by the Township Council. The Township Council shall refer every proposed amendment, supplement, change, modification, or repeal originated by the Board to the Township Planning Commission and the County Planning Commission at least 30 days prior to the hearing to provide the Commissions an opportunity to submit recommendations. The recommendations of either or both Planning Commissions shall be submitted in writing to the Council. [Ord. 543]
2. Proposals Originated by the Township Planning Commission. The Township Planning Commission may at any time transmit to the Township Council any proposal for amendment, supplement, change, modification, or repeal of this Chapter. The procedures with regard to County Planning Commission review and recommendations shall be as required in § 27-1501(1) above. [Ord. 543]
3. Proposals Originated by a Citizen’s Petition. Each petition by one or more owners of property to be affected by a proposal for amendment, supplement, change, or modification shall be signed and acknowledged and submitted in writing to the Township Clerk. The procedures with regard to Township Planning Commission and County Planning Commission review and recommendation shall be as required in § 27-1501(1) above. [Ord. 543]
4. If, after any public hearing held upon an amendment, the proposed amendment is changed substantially or is revised, to include land previously not affected by it, the Township Council shall hold another public hearing, pursuant to public notice, before proceeding to vote on the amendment. (Ord. 269)
5. Within 30 days after enactment, a copy of the amendment to the Zoning Ordinance shall be forwarded to the County Planning Commission. (Ord. 269)
6. Any general challenges or appeals to this Zoning Chapter shall be made in accordance with the provisions of Articles IX and X-A of Act. No. 247 of the Pennsylvania General Assembly of 1968, effective January 1, 1969, and amendments and supplements thereto, known as the Pennsylvania Municipali ties Planning Code. All provisions thereof and procedures thereunder are hereby incorporated by reference. (Ord. 269)
7. The Township’s costs for processing a proposal originated by a citizen’s petition shall be paid by the Petitioner, regardless of whether the amendment proposed is denied, adopted or adopted in modified form. The Township costs shall include expenses paid for advertising, court reporters and the services of engineers, attorneys or other professionals. For the payment of costs, Petitioner shall provide a cash escrow of $2,000 which shall be replenished within 30 days if it falls below $500. Petitioner shall be provided copies of all invoices subject to reimbursement. If Petitioner fails to replenish the escrow within the time as required, the petition shall automatically be deemed withdrawn. [Ord. 543]
(Ord. 45, Z-§ 1501, 5/12/76; as amended by Ord. 269, 10/16/1991, § 14; and by Ord. 543, 2/6/2013)