MARVIN MANDEL, Governor                        1285

makes a finding that there exists, in the area in which the develop-
ment is to be located, a need for safe and sanitary housing accom-
modations for persons or families of either low or moderate income.

7.    SALE OR LEASE OF DEVELOPMENT

The Authority may sell or lease for a term not exceeding ninety-
nine years all or any portion of the real or personal property con-
stituting a development to any person, firm, partnership or cor-
poration, either public or private, upon such terms and conditions
as may be approved by the Authority and determined to make econo-
mically possible the development of low and moderate income housing
notwithstanding any other law or regulation of the State of Mary-
land whenever the Authority shall find that such sale or lease is in
conformity with a plan or undertaking for the development of such
housing. Such sale or lease may be made;

(a)  to any public agency, without public bidding, public sale or
public notice;

(b)  to any local development corporation, without public bidding,
public sale or public notice;

(c)  to any other person, firm, partnership or corporation, without
public bidding or public sale, provided there is published in at least
one newspaper of general circulation in the municipality in which
the development is located a notice which shall include a statement
of the identity of the proposed purchaser or lessee and of his pro-
posed use or reuse of the development or applicable portion thereof,
the price or rental to be paid by such purchaser or lessee, all other
essential conditions of such sale or lease, and a statement that a pub-
lic hearing upon such sale or lease will be held before the Authority
at a specified time and place on a date not less than ten days
after such publication, and provided further that such public hearing
is held in accordance with such notice.

8.    COOPERATION WITH MUNICIPALITIES

(1)  In effectuating the purposes of this Act, the Authority and
community advisory committees created pursuant to Section 4 of
this Act shall work closely, consult and cooperate with local elected
officials and community leaders at the earliest practicable time. The
Authority shall give primary consideration to local needs and desires
and shall foster local initiative and participation in connection with
the planning and development of its developments. Wherever pos-
sible, activities of the Authority shall be coordinated with local urban
renewal and other community developments, and the Authority shall
assist localities in carrying out such developments. Consideration
shall also be given to local and regional goals and policies as ex-
pressed in urban renewal, community renewal and local comprehen-
sive land use plans and regional plans.

(2)  After consultation with local officials, as provided in sub-
division one of this section, the Authority shall, in constructing, re-
constructing, rehabilitating, altering or improving any development,<