J. MILLARD TAWES, Governor                     1533

newal 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 AND TOWN BUILDING REGULATIONS, BUT NOT
COUNTY BUILDING REGULATIONS UNLESS THE SAME
SHALL BE APPROVED BY THE COUNTY BUILDING IN-
SPECTOR OR HIS EQUIVALENT;
(8) to generally organize, coordinate and direct the adminis-
tration of the provisions of this subheading as they apply to such
municipaltiy in order that the objective of remedying slum and
blighted areas and preventing the causes thereof within such mu-
nicipality 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 subheading or may, if its legislative body by ordinance deter-
mines 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 deter-
mination, it shall proceed by ordinance to establish a public body
or agency to undertake in the municipality the activities authorized
by this subheading. Such ordinance shall include provisions estab-
lishing 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 subheading.

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

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

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 combina-
tion 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.