208 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 103

district, but the regulations in one district may differ from
those in other districts.

SEC. 3. And be it further enacted, That such regulations
shall be made in accordance with a comprehensive plan, and
designed to lessen congestion in the streets; to secure safety
from fire, panic and other dangers; to promote health and the
general welfare; to provide adequate light and air; to pre-
vent the overcrowding of land; to avoid undue concentration
of population; to facilitate the adequate provision of trans-
portation, water, sewerage, schools, parks and other public re-
quirements. Such regulations shall be made with reasonable
consideration, among other things, to the character of the dis-
trict and its peculiar suitability for particular uses, and with
a view to conserving the value of buildings and encouraging
the most appropriate use of land throughout such municipality.

SEC. 4. And be it further enacted That the said Mayor and
Council shall provide for the manner in which such regula-
tions and restrictions and the boundaries of such districts shall
be determined, established and enforced, and from time to time
amended, supplemented or changed. However, no such regu-
lation, restriction or boundary shall become effective until after
a public hearing in relation thereto, at which parties in inter-
est and citizens shall have an opportunity to be heard. At least
fifteen days' notice of the time and place of such hearing shall
be published in an official paper, or a paper of general circu-
lation, in such municipality.

SEC. 5. And be it further enacted, That such regulations,
restrictions and boundaries may from time to time be amended,
supplemented, changed, modified or repealed. In case, how-
ever, of a protest against such change signed by the owners of
twenty per cent, or more either of the area of the lots included
in such proposed change, on of those immediately adjacent in
the rear thereof extending 200 feet therefrom, or of those di-
rectly opposite thereto, extending 200 feet from the street
frontage of such opposite lots, such amendment shall not be-
come effective except by the favorable vote of three-fourths of
all the members of the said Council. The provisions of the
previous section relative to public hearings and official notice
shall apply equally to all changes or amendments.

SEC. 6. And be it further enacted, That in order to avail
themselves of the powers conferred by this Act, the said Mayor