Introduction; consideration.
The Board of Supervisors may introduce and/or consider amendments to this chapter and to the Zoning Map, as proposed by a member of the Board of Supervisors, the Planning Commission, or by a petition of a person or persons residing or owning property within the Township.
Petitions.
Petitions for amendments shall be filed with the Zoning Officer; and the petitioners, upon such filing, shall pay an advertising deposit and a filing fee, in accordance with a fee schedule affixed by the Township.
Referral.
Any proposed amendment presented to the Board of Supervisors without written findings and recommendations from the Lawrence Township Planning Commission and the Clearfield County Planning Commission shall be referred to these agencies for their review and recommendations prior to the public hearing by the Board of Supervisors. The Board shall not hold a public hearing upon such amendments until required reviews and recommendations are received or the expiration of 30 days from the date that such proposed amendments were submitted to the Township and County Planning Commissions.
Public hearing required.
Before acting upon a proposed amendment, the Board of Supervisors shall, as required by law, hold a public hearing thereon. Public notice of such hearing is required and shall contain a brief summary of the proposed amendment and reference to the place where copies of the same be examined and shall be published in accordance with the provisions of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code. If the proposed amendment involves a change to the Zoning Map, notice of the public hearing shall be posted at the affected tract in accordance with Section 609 of the Planning Code at least one week prior to the date of the hearing.
Curative amendments.
A. A landowner who desires to challenge on substantive grounds the validity of this Zoning Chapter or 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 Section 916.1 of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (Act 247), as amended. The Board of Supervisors shall commence a hearing thereon within 60 days. As with other proposed amendments, the curative amendment shall be referred to the Township of Lawrence Planning Commission and the Clearfield County Planning Commission at least 30 days before the hearing is conducted by the Board of Supervisors. Public notice shall be given in accordance with applicable provision of the Planning Code. The hearings shall be conducted in accordance with instructions as set forth by Section 916.1 of the Planning Code. The findings, actions and considerations of the Board of Supervisors shall be in accordance with Section 609.1 of the Planning Code.
B. The Township may institute a municipal curative amendment in accordance with Section 609.2 of the Planning Code.
