(A) Initiation.
(1) An amendment to the zoning map, which is adopted as part of this code of ordinances, may be initiated by the Township Board or Planning Commission on a motion by either body, or by a verified application of one or more of the owners or lessees of property within the area proposed to be changed, or by a person authorized in writing by the property owner to submit such application.
(2) An amendment to the text of the Zoning Ordinance may be initiated by the Township Board or Planning Commission on a motion by either body or by a verified application of any person affected by the provision requested to be changed.
(3) Any proposed use not addressed by this chapter shall be subject to the provisions of this section as an amendment to the chapter. The Township Board, upon recommendation of the Planning Commission, shall determine the appropriate district and whether the use shall be a permitted use or special land use.
(B) Procedure for changes.
(1) Applications for zoning ordinance map or text amendments shall be submitted to the Planning Commission upon forms supplied by the township, along with the following:
(a) A legal description of the property to be affected by a proposed change to the zoning map or a typewritten copy of the proposed text amendment, including specific references to the portions of the existing ordinance section and language;
(b) A drawing or map showing, at a suitable scale, the property to be changed by an amendment to the zoning map and the location of properties within 500 feet of the property affected by the amendment;
(c) Payment of a fee in accordance with a fee schedule, as determined by the Township Board from time to time; and
(d) Any other information which may be required by the township.
(2) Before submitting its recommendation to the Township Board, the Planning Commission shall hold at least one public hearing, notice to be given in accordance with the requirements of the Zoning Act, being M.C.L.A. §§ 125.3101 et seq.
(3) The Planning Commission shall transmit a summary of comments received at the public hearing, along with the recommendation of the Planning Commission, to the Township Board. The Township Board may hold additional hearings if it considers it necessary, in accordance with the requirements of the Zoning Act, being M.C.L.A. §§ 125.3101 et seq.
(4) In considering a recommendation for an amendment to the zoning map, the Planning Commission shall consider:
(a) All possible uses within the area requested to be re-zoned and not just those that the property owner requests;
(b) The purposes for which property in the immediate vicinity is zoned;
(c) The Master Plan;
(d) The character of the zoning district, its particular suitability for particular uses, and the general trend and character of building and population development; and
(e) The public services available and the public services needed for the zoned use and the proposed use.
(C) Resubmission.
(1) Whenever a proposed zoning map or text change has been denied by the Township Board, the Planning Commission shall not reconsider a map or text change for at least one year following the date of the original application unless the Planning Commission finds that at least one of the following conditions exist:
(a) The conditions involving all of the reasons for the original denial have been significantly altered; or
(b) New conditions or circumstances exist which change the nature of the original request.
(2) If the Planning Commission has conducted a public hearing on the same application, the Planning Commission shall not process an application or conduct a hearing unless it finds that the requirements of division (C)(1)(a) or (C)(1)(b) above are satisfied.
(Ord. passed 7-30-2015; amended 4- -2010)