(A) After the close of the hearing on a proposed amendment, the planning and zoning commission shall make written findings of fact and shall submit the same, together with its recommendation, to the city council. Where the purpose and effect of the proposed amendment is to change the zoning classification of particular property, the planning and zoning commission shall make findings based upon the evidence presented to it in each specific case with respect to the following matters:
(1) Existing uses of property within the general area of the property in question.
(2) The zoning classification of property within the general area of the property in question.
(3) The suitability of the property in question for the uses permitted under the existing zoning classification.
(4) The trend of development, if any, in the general area of the property in question, including changes, if any, which may have taken place since the day the property in question was placed in its present zoning classification.
(B) The planning and zoning commission shall not recommend the adoption of a proposed amendment unless it finds that the adoption of the amendment is in the public interest and is not solely for the interest of the applicant. The planning and zoning commission may recommend the adoption of an amendment changing the zoning classification of the property in question to any higher classification than that requested by the applicant. For the purpose of this section, the R Residence District shall been considered the highest classification, and the M Manufacturing District shall be considered the lowest classification.
(C) The recommendation of the planning and zoning commission shall be based on, and limited to, the development of property as presented by the applicant, including any modification approved by the city council, and recorded on the title document subject to zoning restrictions of the city. Any basic change in the approved development proposed by the applicant or developer, such as the resizing, rearranging, or relocating of buildings or the changing of internal streets, walkways, entrances, exits, easements, or parking and loading, shall be brought to the attention of the building commissioner, who shall then inform the plan commission. The plan commission shall review the proposed changes. Changes which are not basic in the approved development, such as minor cosmetic changes, need not be reviewed by the plan commission. No basic change in the development made by the developer, as approved by the planning and zoning commission, shall be made until approval is given by the plan commission and by the city council. The proposed basic changes, if substantial, shall warrant a public hearing per §§ 153.210 through 153.214. The city council may grant changes after review by the plan commission and without a hearing if the council so desires.
('69 Code, App. A, § 10.7-6) (amend. Ord. O-22-81, passed 8-18-81; amend. Ord. O-38- 15, passed 10-6-15)