Any owner of property within the proposed special assessment area may protest the formation of the special assessment area, the extent thereof, or the proposed assessment by filing a written protest with the clerk of the legislative body at or before the time set for the hearing. Such protest shall contain a description of the property sufficient to identify the same and, if the signer is not shown on the last equalized assessment roll as the owner of such property, shall contain or be accompanied by written evidence that such signer is the owner of such property. The clerk shall endorse on each protest the date of its receipt and at the time appointed for the hearing shall present to the legislative body all protests filed. No other protests shall be considered by the legislative body.