§ 4. AUTHORITY TO INITIATE A REQUEST

All platting, zoning and site plan requests, and/or requests to amend the comprehensive plan or the thoroughfare plan may be initiated by the owner of the affected property or his authorized representative who files the required application and pays the appropriate fee for the request, or the city council may direct the director of planning to initiate such a request on behalf of the city.

Amendments to the text of this [Unified Development Code] shall be initiated only by action of the city council directing the director of planning to initiate such a request on behalf of the city or by the director of planning's own initiative.

Variances and special exceptions to be considered by the board of adjustment may be initiated by the owner of the affected property or his authorized representative or any aggrieved party who files the required application and pays the appropriate fee, or by any person aggrieved by the decision of an administrative officer with authority over any matter appealable to the board of adjustment per section 11.3 [of this Unified Development Code], or by an officer, or appropriate board of the city.