1330                             LAWS OF MARYLAND                        [CH. 614

termines such action to be in the public interest, elect to have such
powers exercised by a separate public body or agency as hereinafter
provided. In the event said legislative body makes such determina-
tion, it shall proceed by ordinance to establish a public body or
agency to undertake in the municipality the activities authorized by
this sub-heading. Such ordinance shall include provisions establish-
ing the number of members of such public body or agency, the
manner of their appointment and removal, the terms of said mem-
bers and their compensation. The ordinance may include such addi-
tional provisions relating to the organization of said public body
or agency as may be necessary. In the event the legislative body
enacts such an ordinance, all of the powers by this sub-heading
granted to the municipality shall, from the effective date of said
ordinance, be vested in the public body or agency thereby established,
except:

(1)   The power to pass a resolution to initiate an urban renewal
project pursuant to Section 4 of this sub-heading.

(2)   The power to issue general obligation bonds pursuant to
Section 9 of this sub-heading.

(3)   The power to appropriate funds, and to levy taxes and
assessments pursuant to Section 2(3) of this sub-heading.

4. Initiation of Project

In order to initiate an urban renewal project, the legislative body
of the municipality shall adopt a resolution which

(1)  finds that one or more slum or blighted areas exist in such
municipality;

(2)  locates and defines the said slum or blighted areas;

(3)  finds that the rehabilitation, redevelopment, or a combination
thereof, of such area or areas, is necessary in the interest of the
public health, safety, morals or welfare of the residents of such
municipality.

5. Preparation and approval of Plan for Urban Renewal Project

(a) The municipality, in order to carry out the purposes of this
subheading, shall prepare or cause to be prepared an urban renewal
plan for slum or blighted areas in the municipality, and shall formally
approve such plan. Prior to its approval of an urban renewal project,
the municipality shall submit such plan to the planning body of the
municipality, for review and recommendations as to its conformity
with the master plan for the development of the municipality as a
whole. The planning body shall submit its written recommendation
with respect to the proposed urban renewal plan to the municipality
within sixty days after receipt of the plan for review; upon receipt
of the recommendations of the planning body or, if no recommenda-
tions are received within said sixty days, then without such recom-
mendations, the municipality may proceed with a public hearing on
the proposed urban renewal project. The municipality shall hold a
public hearing on an urban renewal project after public notice
thereof by publication in a newspaper having a general circulation
within the corporate limits of the municipality. The notice shall