(a) The legislative body of a local agency may initiate a proceeding under this chapter in either of the following ways:

(1) On its own initiative, where the clerk of the legislative body shall administratively set a hearing by fixing the date, hour, and place of the hearing and cause the publishing and posting of the notices required by this chapter.

(2) Upon a petition or request of an interested person, at the discretion of the legislative body, except as provided in subdivision (e) of Section 8321, where the clerk of the legislative body shall administratively set a hearing by fixing the date, hour, and place of the hearing and cause the publishing and posting of the notices required by this chapter.

(b) The notices required by this chapter shall contain both of the following:

(1) A description of the street, highway, or public service easement proposed to be vacated and a reference to a map or plan, that shows the portion or area to be vacated and includes a statement that the vacation proceeding is conducted under this chapter. In the case of a street or highway, the description shall include its general location, its lawful or official name or the name by which it is commonly known, and the extent to which it is to be vacated. In the case of a public service easement, the description shall identify it with common certainty. The map or plan showing the location of the street, highway, or public easement proposed to be vacated is sufficient compliance with this paragraph.

(2) The date, hour, and place for hearing all persons interested in the proposed vacation. The date shall not be less than 15 days after the initiation of proceedings.

(Amended by Stats. 1998, Ch. 876, Sec. 20. Effective January 1, 1999.)