(a) Petition.--Taxpayers of the borough whose property is being assessed for benefits for a public improvement may present a petition to the court of common pleas stating that the assessment insufficiently represents the benefits accruing to abutting, benefited or accommodated properties. The petition may include a request for the appointment of viewers to assess benefits if at least 50% of the taxpayers whose parcels are abutting, benefited or accommodated by the public improvement in question join the petition or if taxpayers whose property valuation as assessed for taxable purposes within the borough amounts to at least 50% of the total property valuation of the properties being assessed for the public improvement join the petition. The petition must be presented within three months of the enactment of the ordinance levying the assessment.

(b) Viewers.--The court shall appoint three disinterested viewers, none of whom shall be a resident of that portion of the borough that is benefited or accommodated by the public improvement in question, and the viewers shall proceed under this part and 26 Pa.C.S. (relating to eminent domain) for the assessment of damages and benefits by viewers. Upon the filing of the petition by taxpayers for the appointment of viewers, any assessment made by the council and any proceedings shall be stayed pending the disposition of the petition by the court.