678                             LAWS OF MARYLAND                     [CH. 220

CHAPTER 220
(Senate Bill 345)

AN ACT to repeal and re-enact, with amendments, Section 26 of
Article 66B of the Annotated Code of Maryland (1967 Replace-
ment Volume), title "Zoning and Planning," subtitle "Planning,"
subheading "Title 3—Subdivision Control," amending the laws
concerning subdivision requirements and control in order to permit
regulations concerning soil erosion and sediment control, and
dividing this section into subsections.

Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland,
That Section 26 of Article 66B of the Annotated Code of Maryland
(1967 Replacement Volume), title "Zoning and Planning," subtitle
"Planning," subheading "Title 3—Subdivision Control," be and it is
hereby repealed and re-enacted, with amendments, to read as follows:

26.

(a)  Before exercising the powers referred to in Section 25, the
planning commission shall prepare regulations governing the sub-
division of land within its jurisdiction. Such regulations may provide
for adequate shore erosion control, the proper arrangement of
streets, in relation to other existing planned streets and to the
master plan, for adequate and convenient open spaces for traffic,
utilities, access of fire-fighting apparatus, recreation, light and air,
and for the avoidance of congestion of population, including mini-
mum width and area of lots.

(b)  Such regulations may include provision as to the extent to
which streets and other ways shall be graded and improved, to which
soil erosion or sediment control shall be provided, and to which water
and sewer and other utility mains, piping, or other facilities shall
be installed as a condition precedent to the approval of the plat.
The regulations or practice of the commission may provide for a
tentative approval of the plat previous to such installation; but any
such tentative approval shall be revocable and shall not be entered
on the plat. In lieu of the completion of such improvements and
utilities prior to the final approval of the plat, the commission may
accept a bond with surety to secure to the municipality the actual
construction and installation of such improvements or utilities at a
time and according to specifications fixed by or in accordance with
the regulations of the commission. The municipality is hereby
granted the power to enforce such bond by all appropriate legal and
equitable remedies.

(c)  In Anne Arundel County, the commission may accept a cash
payment from the developer or contractor in lieu of the actual con-
struction and installation of all or any part of such improvements
or utilities, which cash payment shall thereafter be used by the
county, from time to time, only for the construction and installation
of such utilities, facilities and improvements.

(d)  Before any regulations shall be submitted