This title may be amended from time to time by the Township Committee, after the appropriate referrals, notices, hearings and other requirements of law, including the following:
(A) Prior to the public hearing on adoption of a zoning ordinance or any amendments thereto, the Township Committee shall refer any such proposed ordinance or amendment to the Planning Board pursuant to the following requirements:
(1) The Planning Board shall issue a report within 35 days of referral by the Township Committee which identifies any portion of the proposed development regulation, revision or amendment which is inconsistent with the master plan and any recommendations concerning these inconsistencies.
(2) The Planning Board may include in its report any other matter which it deems appropriate.
(3) Failure of the Planning Board to render a report within the prescribed time period shall relieve the Township Committee of its responsibility to wait for that report before acting on the proposed development regulation, revision or amendment.
(B) After receipt of the Planning Board report, or after the expiration of the time allocated for delivery of that report, the Township Committee shall conduct a public hearing on the merits of the proposed development regulation, revision or amendment.
(C) The Township Committee shall evaluate the proposed amendment for its inconsistency with the master plan.
(D) The Township Committee may enact any amendment which is in whole or part inconsistent with the master plan and which is not designed to effectuate the land use plan or housing plan elements but only by an affirmative vote of a majority of its full authorized membership. In that instance, the reasons for the action of the Township Committee shall be set forth in a resolution and recorded in the minutes of the Township Committee.
(E) A protest against any proposed amendment or revision of a zoning ordinance may be filed with the Township Clerk, signed by the owners of 20% or more of the area of either (a) the lots or land included in such proposed change, or (b) the lots or land within 200 feet in all directions therefrom inclusive of street space, whether within or without the Township. In the event such a protest is filed, the amendment or revision shall require the affirmative vote of two-thirds of all members of Township Committee.
(F) No zoning amendment shall be submitted to or adopted by initiative or referendum.
(Ord. 945-99, passed 9-13-99)