(1) If the commission, after determining the validity of a petition or resolution for annexation, has ordered a public hearing pursuant to section 9 of Act No. 279 of the Public Acts of 1909, as amended, being section 117.9 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, and if on the date the petition or resolution was filed more than 100 persons resided in the area proposed for annexation, the legislative body of each city and township affected by the proposed annexation may pass a resolution calling for a referendum on the question of annexation. If a copy of each resolution passed by the legislative body of each affected city and township is filed with the commission and the commission approves the annexation, the commission, in its order approving the annexation, shall order that a referendum on the question of annexation be held in each affected city and township. If a resolution calling for a referendum on the question of annexation is not passed by each affected city and township and filed with the commission, the referendum and election shall be subject to section 9(5) of Act No. 279 of the Public Acts of 1909, as amended. However, if a referendum in each affected city and township is ordered pursuant to this section and if the majority of the electorate voting on the question in each city and township in which a referendum was held, voting separately, approve the annexation, the annexation shall be effective on a date set by order of the commission, otherwise the annexation shall not take effect.

    (2) This section shall apply to all petitions or resolutions for annexation filed with the commission after May 1, 1982.

    (3) This section is an alternative to the referendum and election process provided for in section 9(5) of Act No. 279 of the Public Acts of 1909, as amended, and does not supersede section 9(5) of Act No. 279 of the Public Acts of 1909, as amended.