(a) In any resolution ordering a merger or establishment of a subsidiary district, the commission shall approve the change of organization without an election except that if the change of organization meets the requirements of subdivision (b), the commission shall order the change of organization subject to confirmation of the voters.
(b) The commission shall order the change of organization subject to confirmation of the voters within any subject agency as follows:
(1) If the proposal was not initiated by the commission, and if a subject agency has not objected by resolution to the proposal, the commission has found that protests meet the applicable protest thresholds set forth in Section 57092.
(2) If the proposal was not initiated by the commission, and if a subject agency has objected by resolution to the proposal, written protests have been submitted that meet the applicable protest thresholds set forth in Section 57093.
(3) If the proposal was initiated by the commission, and regardless of whether a subject agency has objected to the proposal by resolution, written protests have been submitted that meet the requirements of Section 57077.6.
(c) Notwithstanding subdivision (a) or (b), the commission shall not order the merger or establishment of a subsidiary district without the consent of the subject city.