§ 23.3-312. Council Districts.

   A. The Township Council Districts shall be formed of compact, contiquous territory with boundary lines following the center line of streets or natural or man-made barriers or dividing lines which shall contain as nearly as possible the same number of residents as determined by official census with no more than a ten (10%) percent variance from the mean in any such district.

 B. Council may, by ordinance, request that a special census count be made by the U.S. Census Bureau.

 C. Within sixty (60) days of the receipt of the certified results of the Federal Dicennial Census or special census, Council shall appoint a Commission which is advisory in nature and which shall:

   1. Be composed of twelve (12) members, comprised of three (3) Township Electors from each of the four Township Council Districts, no more than two (2) of whom shall be from the same political party in each district. None of these members shall be employed by the Township in any capacity or shall receive compensation for service on this Commission.

   2. Review such census information for compliance with applicable law and this Charter and prepare an appropriate recommendation within sixty (60) days of appointment, provided that if any adjustment of boundary lines is deemed necessary:

     a. A public hearing shall be held by the Commission for the purpose of reviewing the map and descriptions of the districts recommended;

     b. The recommendation shall be drafted as a report which together with a map of the districts shall be introduced in Council at a public meeting by the Chairman of the Commission which proposal shall thereafter be considered by Council.

 D. Council shall defer any action on Township Council district boundaries for sixty (60) days after appointment of the Commission but Council shall take official action within thirty (30) days following the expiration of such period of time.