322                                   LAWS OF MARYLAND                          [CH. 172

and other public improvements in connection with an urban renewal
project; and to make exceptions from building regulations;

(8)  to generally organize, coordinate and direct the administration
of the provisions of this sub-heading as they apply to such munici-
pality in order that the objective of remedying slum and blighted
areas and preventing the causes thereof within such municipality
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 determines
such action to be in the public interest, elect to have such powers
exercised by a separate public body or agency as hereinafter pro-
vided. In the event said legislative body makes such determination,
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 establishing the
number of members of such public body or agency, the manner of
their appointment and removal, the terms of said members and their
compensation. The ordinance may include such additional 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 assess-
ments 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
sub-heading, shall prepare or cause to be prepared an urban renewal
plan for slum or blighted areas in the municipality, and shall for-
mally approve such plan. Prior to its approval of an urban renewal
project, the municipality shall submit such plan to the planning body