15.530 Amendments to Zoning Ordinance.

(1) Ordinance May Be Amended. Boundaries of the districts established by this chapter, the classification of property uses therein, or other provisions of this chapter may be amended from time to time.

(2) Initiation of Amendment. Amendments of this chapter may be initiated by:

(a) The verified application of one or more owners of property requesting that the ordinance be amended to reclassify their property ownerships;

(b) The Common Council; and

(c) The City Plan Commission.

(3) Application Forms. The City Plan Commission may prescribe the form in which applications are made for changes in district boundaries or classifications. It may prepare and provide blanks for such purpose and prescribe the type of information to be provided in the application by the applicant.

(4) Application for Amendment. Whenever the owner of any land desires an amendment, supplement to, or change of the regulations prescribed for his property, he shall file with the City Clerk an application therefor, verified by him, requesting the amendment. A filing fee as determined by resolution of the Common Council for a change in the Zoning Map or for a text amendment shall accompany the application. Such sum shall not be refunded whether or not the petition is granted. The applicant for a zone change shall also pay the total cost of legal publications to the City of Manitowoc.

(5) Council and City Plan Commission Procedure. Upon receipt of the verified application for the introduction of an amendment the Common Council shall refer said matter to the City Plan Commission for study, public information hearing and recommendation. Applications or the introduction of amendments to change the Zone District Map shall require that the following information be mailed to all property owners within 200 feet, exclusive of dedicated ways or publicly owned lands:

(a) A map outlining the area being considered for a zone change and delineating its proximity to other nearby properties;

(b) The existing and proposed zoning and a summary of the uses permissible in each zone; and

(c) The date, time, and location of the public information meeting before the Plan Commission.

(6) Common Council Findings and Decision. Upon receipt of the City Plan Commission’s report and recommendation and following the public hearing held before the Common Council, the Common Council may approve, disapprove, or amend the recommendation of the City Plan Commission by a majority vote.

(7) Decision of the Common Council Shall Be Final. The action of the Common Council, after considering the report and recommendation of the City Plan Commission shall be final and conclusive, provided, however, in the case of a protest against an amendment, duly signed and acknowledged by the owners of 20 percent or more either of the land included in such proposed change, or by the owners of 20 percent or more of the area of the land immediately adjacent extending 100 feet therefrom, or by the owners of 20 percent or more of the land directly opposite thereto extending 100 feet from the street frontage of such opposite land, such amendment shall not become effective except by the favorable vote of three-fourths of the members of the Common Council.

(8) Zone Map Amendments. Amendments to the Zone Map of the City of Manitowoc shall not be printed in the Municipal Code, but shall be kept on file in the office of the City Clerk.

[Prior code § 15.53]