(1) Subject to subsection (2), a township ordinance creating a planning commission under this act shall take effect 63 days after the ordinance is published by the township board in a newspaper having general circulation in the township.

    (2) Subject to subsection (3), before a township ordinance creating a planning commission takes effect, a petition may be filed with the township clerk requesting the submission of the ordinance to the electors residing in the unincorporated portion of the township for their approval or rejection. The petition shall be signed by a number of qualified and registered electors residing in the unincorporated portion of the township equal to not less than 8% of the total vote cast for all candidates for governor, at the last preceding general election at which a governor was elected. If such a petition is filed, the ordinance shall not take effect until approved by a majority of the electors residing in the unincorporated portion of the township voting thereon at the next regular or special election that allows reasonable time for proper notices and printing of ballots or at any special election called for that purpose, as determined by the township board. The township board shall specify the language of the ballot question.

    (3) Subsection (2) does not apply if the planning commission created by the ordinance is the successor to an existing zoning commission or zoning board as provided for under section 301 of the Michigan zoning enabling act, 2006 PA 110, MCL 125.3301.

    (4) If a township board does not on its own initiative adopt an ordinance under this act creating a planning commission, a petition may be filed with the township clerk requesting the township board to adopt such an ordinance. The petition shall be signed by a number of qualified and registered electors as provided in subsection (2). If such a petition is filed, the township board, at its first meeting following the filing shall submit the question to the electors of the township in the same manner as provided under subsection (2).

    (5) A petition under this section, including the circulation and signing of the petition, is subject to section 488 of the Michigan election law, 1954 PA 116, MCL 168.488. A person who violates a provision of the Michigan election law, 1954 PA 116, MCL 168.1 to 168.992, applicable to a petition described in this section is subject to the penalties prescribed for that violation in the Michigan election law, 1954 PA 116, MCL 168.1 to 168.992.