(a)      (1)      The Mayor and City Council of Baltimore may periodically amend or repeal regulations, restrictions, and boundaries.

            (2)      (i)      If the purpose and effect of a proposed amendment is to change the zoning classification of particular property, the City Council shall make findings of fact.

                  (ii)      The findings of fact shall include:

                        1.      Population changes;

                        2.      The availability of public facilities;

                        3.      Present and future transportation patterns;

                        4.      Compatibility with existing and proposed development for the area;

                        5.      The recommendations of the Planning Commission and the Board of Municipal and Zoning Appeals; and

                        6.      The relation of the proposed amendment to the City's plan.

            (3)      The City Council may grant the amendment based on a finding that there was:

                  (i)      A substantial change in the character of the neighborhood where the property is located; or

                  (ii)      A mistake in the existing zoning classification.

      (b)      (1)      The Mayor and City Council of Baltimore shall refer proposed changes to a district's boundaries to the Baltimore City Planning Commission and to the Board of Municipal and Zoning Appeals.

            (2)      The Planning Commission and the Board of Municipal and Zoning Appeals shall:

                  (i)      Study the proposed changes in relation to:

                        1.      The plan;

                        2.      The needs of Baltimore City; and

                        3.      The needs of the particular neighborhood in the vicinity of the proposed changes; and

                  (ii)      Report to the Mayor and City Council their findings and recommendations.

            (3)      If the Planning Commission and the Board of Municipal and Zoning Appeals recommend disapproval of the proposed changes to a district's boundaries, a majority of the members of the City Council shall vote to approve the changes before the changes can take effect.

      (c)      Within the 12 months following a denial on the merits of an application for a reclassification of a tract or parcel of land, the City Council may not accept a new application for a reclassification of the same tract or parcel of land.

      (d)      The provisions of § 2.04 of this subtitle relative to public hearings and official notice shall apply equally to all changes or amendments of regulations, restrictions, and boundaries.