1332                             Laws of Maryland                        [Ch. 760

Deposit, in order to authorize and empower the president and com-
missioners of the town of Port Deposit to carry out urban renewal
projects involving the clearance and redevelopment and rehabili-
tation of slum areas or blighted areas, including the acquisition of
property for such purposes with certain provisions in regard to
such acquisition by the exercise of the power of eminent domain;
declaring such activities to constitute governmental functions in
furtherance of which the president and commissioners of the town
of Port Deposit may exercise the power of taxation, expend public
funds and extend public credit; granting to the president and com-
missioners of the town of Port Deposit certain additional powers
and authority necessary or proper to carry into full force and effect
the powers hereinabove mentioned and placing certain restrictions
and limitations on certain powers granted.

Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland,
That eleven new Sections and a new sub-heading "Redevelopment—
Urban Renewal", be and they are hereby added to the Charter of the
town of Port Deposit, to read as follows:

Redevelopment—Urban Renewal
1. Definitions

(a)  The following terms wherever used or referred to in this sub-
heading shall have the following meanings, unless a different mean-
ing is clearly indicated by the context:

(b)  "Federal Government" shall include the United States of
America or any agency or instrumentality, corporate or otherwise,
of the United States of America.

(c)  "Slum Area" shall mean any area where dwellings predomi-
nate which, by reason of depreciation, overcrowding, faulty arrange-
ment or design, lack of ventilation, light or sanitary facilities, or any
combination of these factors, are detrimental to the public safety,
health or morals.

(d)  "Blighted Area" shall mean an area in which a majority of
buildings have declined in productivity by reason of obsolescence,
depreciation or other causes to an extent they no longer justify fun-
damental repairs and adequate maintenance.

(e)  "Urban Renewal Project" shall mean undertakings and activ-
ities of a municipality in an urban renewal area for the elimination
and for the prevention of the development or spread of slums and
blight, and may involve slum clearance and redevelopment in an
urban renewal area, or rehabilitation or conservation in an urban re-
newal area, or any combination or part thereof in accordance with an
urban renewal plan. Such undertakings and activities may include—

(1)  acquisition of a slum area or a blighted area or portion
thereof;

(2)  demolition and removal of buildings and improvements;

(3)  installation, construction or reconstruction of streets, utilities,
parks, playgrounds, and other improvements necessary for carrying
out in the urban renewal area the urban renewal objectives of this
sub-heading in accordance with the urban renewal plan;