Section 10609 - Enactment of zoning ordinance amendments(a) For the preparation of amendments to zoning ordinances, the procedure set forth in section 607 for the preparation of a proposed zoning ordinance shall be optional.(b)(1) Before voting on the enactment of an amendment, the governing body shall hold a public hearing thereon, pursuant to public notice, and pursuant to mailed notice and electronic notice to an owner of a tract or parcel of land located within a municipality or an owner of the mineral rights in a tract or parcel of land within the municipality who has made a timely request in accordance with section 109. In addition, if the proposed amendment involves a zoning map change, notice of said public hearing shall be conspicuously posted by the municipality at points deemed sufficient by the municipality along the tract to notify potentially interested citizens. The affected tract or area shall be posted at least one week prior to the date of the hearing.(2)(i) In addition to the requirement that notice be posted under clause (1), where the proposed amendment involves a zoning map change, notice of the public hearing shall be mailed by the municipality at least 30 days prior to the date of the hearing by first class mail to the addressees to which real estate tax bills are sent for all real property located within the area being rezoned, as evidenced by tax records within the possession of the municipality. The notice shall include the location, date and time of the public hearing. A good faith effort and substantial compliance shall satisfy the requirements of this subsection.(ii) This clause shall not apply when the rezoning constitutes a comprehensive rezoning.(c) In the case of an amendment other than that prepared by the planning agency, the governing body shall submit each such amendment to the planning agency at least 30 days prior to the hearing on such proposed amendment to provide the planning agency an opportunity to submit recommendations.(d) If, after any public hearing held upon an amendment, the proposed amendment is changed substantially, or is revised, to include land previously not affected by it, the governing body shall hold another public hearing, pursuant to public notice, mailed notice and electronic notice, before proceeding to vote on the amendment.(e) If a county planning agency shall have been created for the county in which the municipality proposing the amendment is located, then at least 30 days prior to the public hearing on the amendment by the local governing body, the municipality shall submit the proposed amendment to the county planning agency for recommendations.(f) The municipality may offer a mediation option as an aid in completing proceedings authorized by this section. In exercising such an option, the municipality and mediating parties shall meet the stipulations and follow the procedures set forth in Article IX.(g) Within 30 days after enactment, a copy of the amendment to the zoning ordinance shall be forwarded to the county planning agency or, in counties where no planning agency exists, to the governing body of the county in which the municipality is located.1968, July 31, P.L. 805, No. 247, art. VI, § 609. Amended 1972, June 1, P.L. 333, No. 93, § 9, effective in 60 days. Reenacted and amended 1988, Dec. 21, P.L. 1329, No. 170, § 53, effective in 60 days. Amended 1994, May 27, P.L. 251, No. 38, § 2, effective in 60 days; 2002, Jan. 11, P.L. 13, No. 2, § 2, effective in 90 days; 2013, July 2, P.L. 201, No. 36, § 4, effective in 60 days [Sept. 3, 2013].