This chapter may be amended from time to time
by the Township Council, after the appropriate referrals, notices,
hearings and other requirements of law.
A.
Prior to the hearing on adoption of a zoning ordinance
or any amendments thereto, Township Council shall refer any such proposed
ordinance or amendment thereto 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 Council 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 Council
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 Council shall conduct a public hearing on the merits
of the proposed development regulation, revision or amendment.
C.
The Township Council shall evaluate the proposed amendment
for its consistency with the Master Plan.
D.
The Township Council may enact an 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
Council shall be set forth in a resolution and recorded in the minutes
of the Township Council.
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 either of the lots or land
included in such proposed change or of 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 the Township Council.
F.
No zoning amendment shall be submitted to or adopted
by initiative or referendum.
