Before adopting, amending, or repealing any zoning map, ordinance or development regulation authorized by this chapter, the governing board shall hold a legislative hearing. Notice of the hearing shall be made in the following manner:
(A) Mailed notice for zoning map amendments. Notice shall be given to the landowner (if not the applicant), and any other person who makes a written request for the notice, as well as the owners of all parcels of land abutting that parcel of land as shown on the Columbus County tax listings. For the purpose of this section, properties are "abutting" even if separated by a street, railroad, or other transportation corridor. The person or persons mailing the notices shall certify to the City Council that fact, and the certificate shall be deemed conclusive in the absence of fraud. All the notices shall be mailed at least ten calendar days, but not more than 25 calendar days prior to the date of the hearing.
(B) Published notice. Notices required by this section shall state the date, time and place of the hearing, reasonably identify the lot that is the subject of the application and give a brief description of the action requested or proposed. Notices of the public hearing shall be given once a week for two successive calendar weeks in a newspaper having general circulation in the city. The notice shall be published the first time not less than ten days or more than 25 days before the date fixed for the hearing. In computing the period, the day of publication is not to be included, but the day of the hearing shall be included.
(C) Posted notice. For zoning map amendments, the Planning Department shall post a notice on-site of all property that is the subject of a public hearing at least ten days but no more than 25 days prior to meetings of the Planning Board and City Council in which the subject property will be addressed.
(D) When the city initially zones property, owners of that property shall be notified in writing of the change.
(E) Notification alternative. Should a large-scale rezoning be considered and there are more than 50 parcels with 50 different owners, the city may elect to use the expanded published notice provided for in G.S. § 160D-602(b) instead of the first-class mailing notice required in division (A) of this section. A half-page notice shall be run in the newspaper at least two times with the first notice to be run at least ten days prior but no more than 25 days prior to the meeting of the Planning Board and the City Council.
(2009 Code, § 155.286) (Ord. passed 10-27-1992; Ord. passed 1-24-2006; Ord. 2014-2-25-25, passed 2-25-2014; Ord. 2021-Z-19, passed 6-22-2021)