J. MILLARD TAWES, Governor                       1607

or vacate streets, roads, sidewalks, 'public utilities, parks, play-
grounds, and other public improvements in connection with an urban
renewal project; PROVIDED THE SAME SHALL BE APPROVED
BY THE MARYLAND-NATIONAL CAPITAL PARK AND PLAN-
NING COMMISSION, and to make exceptions from building regu-
lations; CITY OR TOWN REGULATIONS, BUT NOT COUNTY
BUILDING REGULATIONS UNLESS THE SAME SHALL BE
APPROVED BY THE COUNTY BUILDING INSPECTOR;

(8)   to generally organize, coordinate and direct the administra-
tion of the provisions of this sub-heading as they apply to such
municipality in order that the objective of remedying slum and
blighted areas and preventing the causes thereof within such munici-
pality may be most effectively promoted and achieved;

(9)   to exercise all or any part or combination of powers herein
granted.

3. Establishment of Urban Renewal Agency

The municipality may itself exercise all the powers granted by
this sub-heading or may, if its legislative body by ordinance de-
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.