3736

LAWS OF MARYLAND

[Ch. 892

(25%)] 25 PERCENT of the persons who reside in the area
to be annexed and who are registered as voters in county
elections, and by the owners of not less than
[twenty-five per centum (25%)] 25 PERCENT of the assessed
valuation of the real property located in the area to be
included. Upon the presentation of such a petition to
the County Commissioners, the chairman [thereof] shall
cause to be made a verification of the signatures and
shall ascertain that the persons signing the petition
represent at least [twenty—five per centum (25%)] 25
PERCENT of the persons who reside in the area to be
included and who are registered as voters in county
elections, and the owners of [twenty-five per centum

(25%) ] 25 PERCENT of the assessed valuation of the real
property located in the area to be included. Upon
verifying that the requirements of this subsection have
been complied with, the chairman of the County
[Commissioners] COUNCIL shall promptly cause to be
introduced an ordinance proposing the change of
boundaries as requested by the petition. The ordinance
shall describe by a description of clearly ascertained
boundary lines, by landmarks and other well—known terms
consistent with the description of other areas included
within the Regional District, the exact area proposed to
be included in the change and briefly and accurately
describing the conditions and circumstances applicable
thereto.

(c)       Notice and hearing for ordinance of
annexation. The ordinance may be adopted by a majority of
the County [Commissioners] COUNCIL at a hearing, after
public notice of [such] THE hearing has been given and
published not fever than four [(4)] times at not less
than weekly intervals in a newspaper of general
circulation in the area proposed to be annexed. The
public notice shall briefly and accurately describe the
proposed change and the conditions and circumstances
applicable thereto. The public notice shall specify a
time and place at which a public hearing will be held by
the County [Commissioners] COUNCIL on the proposed
ordinance. The hearing shall be set for not less than
seven [(7)] days after the fourth publication of the
notices and shall be held in the Court House at Upper
Marlboro, Maryland.

(d)     Enactment of ordinance. Following the public
hearing the County [Commissioners] COUNCIL may proceed to
enact the ordinance in accordance with the usual
requirements and practices applicable to its legislative
enactments. The ordinance [shall] MAY not become
effective until at least [forty-five (45)] 45 days
following its final enactment.

(e)    Petition for referendum. At any time within