A. 
The Board of Supervisors may, from time to time, amend, supplement, change, modify or repeal this chapter, including the Zoning Map.
B. 
The Board of Supervisors, by resolution adopted at a stated or special meeting, shall fix the time and place of a public hearing on the proposed change, amendment or repeal and cause notice thereof to be given by publishing such notice once each week for two successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the Township. The first publication shall be not more than 30 days or less than 14 days prior to the date of the hearing.
(1) 
Such notice shall state the time and place of the hearing and the particular nature of the matter to be considered at the hearing. The notice shall also set forth the principal provisions of the proposed change, amendment or repeal in reasonable detail, and a reference to a place in the Township where copies of the proposed change, amendment or repeal may be examined or purchased at a charge not exceeding the cost thereof.
(2) 
Full opportunity to be heard will be given to any citizen and all parties in interest attending such hearing.
C. 
Whenever the owners of 50% or more, of the area in any district shall present to the Board of Supervisors a petition, duly signed and acknowledged, requesting an amendment, supplement, change, modification or repeal of any of the regulations or restrictions prescribed by this chapter for their district or a change or modification of the Zoning Map with reference to such district, it shall be the duty of the Board of Supervisors to hold a public hearing thereon and cause notice thereof to be given in the manner prescribed herein.
D. 
The Board of Supervisors shall refer each petition or proposal for change or amendment to this chapter, whether under this article or under another Article, to the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission shall consider whether or not such proposed change or amendment would be, in the view of the Planning Commission, consistent with and desirable in furtherance of the Comprehensive Plan upon which this chapter is based, as the same may be modified from time to time. The Planning Commission shall transmit its conclusion thereon, together with its reasons therefor, to the Board of Supervisors within 30 days. The Board of Supervisors shall take such conclusion and reasons into consideration in reaching its decision, but shall not be bound thereby. In addition, the Board shall submit the proposed amendment or change to the Chester County Planning Commission at least 30 days prior to the hearing for its review and recommendations.
A. 
A landowner who desires to challenge, on substantive grounds, the validity of this chapter or the Zoning Map or any provision thereof which prohibits or restricts the use or development of land in which he has an interest, may submit a curative amendment to the Board of Supervisors with a written request that his challenge and proposed amendment be heard and decided, as provided in Article VI and Article IX of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, as amended.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. §§ 10601 et seq. and 10901 et seq., respectively.
B. 
If the Board of Supervisors determines that this chapter or any portion thereof or amendment thereto is substantially invalid, it shall have the right to prepare a curative amendment in accordance with the procedure set forth in Article VI of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, as amended.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10601 et seq.
At any public hearing on a proposed change or amendment, opportunity to be heard shall be given to any Township resident. The Board of Supervisors shall take the recommendations of the Township and County Planning Commissions into consideration in reaching its decisions, but shall not be bound thereby. The Board of Supervisors shall have the power to adopt general or special rules of procedure for the conduct of any such hearing provided that the hearings shall be conducted in accordance with the following procedures.
A. 
The Board of Supervisors shall commence a hearing thereon within 60 days of the request unless the applicant has agreed in writing to an extension of time. The hearing shall be conducted in accordance with the relevant provisions of this chapter.
B. 
The Chair of the Board of Supervisors, or in their absence, the Acting Chair, shall have the power to administer oaths and issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of relevant document and papers, including witnesses and documents requested by the parties.
C. 
The parties shall have the right to be represented by counsel and shall be afforded the opportunity to respond and present evidence and argument and cross-examine adverse witnesses.
D. 
Even though formal rules of evidence shall not apply, irrelevant, immaterial or unduly repetitious evidence may be excluded.
E. 
The Board or Supervisors shall keep a stenographic record of the proceedings and copies of graphic or written material received in evidence shall be made available at cost to any party.
All amendments to this chapter or Zoning Map shall be read at public meetings of the Board of Supervisors and copies may be examined at the Township Building during regular hours. The Board of Supervisors shall make a decision within 45 days after the close of the last scheduled hearing on the request unless the time is extended by mutual consent by the landowner and the Board of Supervisors. Should the Board of Supervisors fail to act on the landowner's request within the designated time, the request is denied. When a decision has been made by the Board of Supervisors, a written copy of the decision shall be delivered to the landowner personally or mailed to him not later than the day following its date.