Procedure for adoption or amendment

1. Proposals for adoption, amendment, or repeal of the zoning ordinance or zoning map(s) shall be submitted to the Town Clerk.
2. Immediately upon receipt of the proposal, the Town Clerk shall refer the proposal to the Town Council at their next regularly scheduled meeting, and to the Planning Board for study and recommendation.
- a) The Planning Board shall, in turn, notify and seek the advice of the Town Planner and shall report to the Town Council within forty-five (45) days after receipt of the proposal, giving its findings and recommendations as prescribed in Section C herein.
- b) Where a proposal for adoption, amendment, or repeal of the zoning ordinance or zoning map is made by the Town Planning Board, the requirements for study by the board may be waived, provided that the proposal by the Planning Board include its findings and recommendations pursuant to Section C. herein.
3. The Town Council shall hold a public hearing within sixty-five (65) days of receipt of a proposal at a regularly scheduled meeting, giving proper notice as prescribed in Section D herein. The Town Council shall render a decision on any proposal within forty-five (45) days after the date of completion of the public hearing.
4. The provisions of this section pertaining to deadlines shall not be construed to apply to any extension consented to by an applicant.
5. The proposals shown in the public notice may be altered or amended prior to the close of the public hearing without further advertising, as a result of further study or because of the views expressed at the public hearing. Any alteration or amendment must be presented for comment in the course of the hearing.