LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 599
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Chapter 599
(House Bill 528)
AN ACT concerning
Town of Williamsport (Washington County) – Urban Renewal Authority for
Blight Clearance
FOR the purpose of granting the Town of Williamsport in Washington County the authority
to exercise urban renewal powers in areas zoned for commercial use for blight
clearance and redevelopment under Article III, Section 61 of the Maryland
Constitution; authorizing the municipality to levy certain taxes and issue general
obligation bonds and revenue bonds to carry out urban renewal powers; and
generally relating to urban renewal authority for blight clearance for the Town of
Williamsport in Washington County.
BY adding to
Chapter 153 – Charter of the Town of Williamsport
Section A1–101 through A1–114 to be under the new heading “Appendix I – Urban
Renewal Authority for Blight Clearance”
Public Local Laws of Maryland – Compilation of Municipal Charters
(2008 Replacement Edition, Revisions Current as of November 2009)
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND,
That the Public Local Laws of Maryland – Compilation of Municipal Charters read as
follows:
Chapter 153 – Charter of the Town of Williamsport
APPENDIX I – URBAN RENEWAL AUTHORITY FOR BLIGHT CLEARANCE
A1–101. DEFINITIONS.
(A) IN THIS APPENDIX THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS
INDICATED.
(B) “BLIGHTED AREA ” MEANS AN AREA OR SIN GLE PROPERTY IN WHIC H
THE BUILDING OR BUIL DINGS HAVE DECLINED IN PRODUCTIVITY BY REAS ON OF
OBSOLESCENCE , DEPRECIATION , OR OTHER CAUSES TO A N EXTENT THAT THEY N O
LONGER JUSTIFY FUNDA MENTAL REPAIRS AND A DEQUATE MAINTENANCE .
(C) “BONDS” MEANS ANY BONDS (INCLUDING REFUNDING BONDS), NOTES,
INTERIM CERTIFICATES , CERTIFICATE S OF INDEBTEDNESS , DEBENTURES , OR
OTHER OBLIGATIONS . Ch. 599 2022 LAWS OF MARYLAND
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(D) “FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ” MEANS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA OR
ANY AGENCY OR INSTRU MENTALITY, CORPORATE OR OTHERWI SE, OF THE UNITED
STATES OF AMERICA.
(E) “MUNICIPALITY” MEANS THE TOWN OF WILLIAMSPOR T, MARYLAND.
(F) “PERSON” MEANS ANY INDIVIDUAL , FIRM, PARTNERSHIP ,
CORPORATION , COMPANY, ASSOCIATION, JOINT STOCK ASSOCIAT ION, OR BODY
POLITIC. IT INCLUDES ANY TRUST EE, RECEIVER, ASSIGNEE, OR OTHER PERSON
ACTING IN SIMILAR RE PRESENTATIVE CAPACIT Y.
(G) “URBAN RENEWAL AREA ” MEANS A BLIGHTED ARE A WHICH THE
MUNICIPALITY DESIGNA TES AS APPROPRIATE F OR AN URBAN RENEWAL PROJECT.
(H) “URBAN RENEWAL PLAN ” MEANS A PLAN , AS IT EXISTS FROM TI ME TO
TIME, FOR AN URBAN RENEWAL PROJECT. THE PLAN SHALL BE SUF FICIENTLY
COMPLETE TO INDICATE ANY LAND ACQUISITION , DEMOLITION, AND REMOVAL OF
STRUCTURES , REDEVELOPMENT , IMPROVEMENTS , AND REHABILITATION A S MAY BE
PROPOSED TO BE CARRI ED OUT IN THE URBAN RENEWAL AREA , ZONING AND
PLANNING CHANGES , IF ANY, LAND USES, MAXIMUM DENSIT Y, AND BUILDING
REQUIREMENTS .
(I) “URBAN RENEWAL PROJECT ” MEANS UNDERTAKINGS A ND ACTIVITIES
OF A MUNICIPALITY IN AN URBAN RENEWAL ARE A FOR THE ELIMINATIO N AND FOR
THE PREVENTION OF TH E DEVELOPMENT OR SPR EAD OF BLIGHT, AND MAY INVOLVE
CLEARANCE AND REDEVE LOPMENT IN AN URBAN RENEWAL AREA , OR
REHABILITATION OR CO NSERVATION IN AN URB AN RENEWAL AREA , OR ANY
COMBINATION OR PART OF THEM IN ACCORDANC E WITH AN URBAN RENE WAL PLAN.
THESE UNDERTAKINGS AN D ACTIVITIES MAY INC LUDE:
(1) ACQUISITION OF A BLIG HTED AREA OR PORTION OF THE
BLIGHTED AREA ;
(2) DEMOLITION AND REMOVA L OF BUILDINGS AND I MPROVEMENTS ;
(3) INSTALLATION , CONSTRUCTION OR RECO NSTRUCTION OF
STREETS, UTILITIES, PARKS, PLAYGROUNDS , AND OTHER IMPROVEMEN TS
NECESSARY FOR CARRYI NG OUT THE URBAN REN EWAL OBJECTIVES OF THIS
APPENDIX IN ACCORDAN CE WITH THE URBAN RE NEWAL PLAN ;
(4) DISPOSITION OF ANY PR OPERTY ACQUIRED IN T HE URBAN LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 599
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RENEWAL AREA , INCLUDING SALE , INITIAL LEASING , OR RETENTION BY THE
MUNICIPALITY ITSELF , AT ITS FAIR VALUE FO R USES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
URBAN RENEWAL PLAN ;
(5) CARRYING OUT PLANS FO R A PROGRAM OF VOLUN TARY OR
COMPULSORY REPAIR AN D REHABILITATION OF BUILDINGS OR OTHER
IMPROVEMENTS IN ACCO RDANCE WITH THE URBA N RENEWAL PLAN ;
(6) ACQUISITION OF ANY OT HER REAL PROPERTY IN THE URBAN
RENEWAL AREA WHERE N ECESSARY TO ELIMINAT E UNHEALTHFUL , UNSANITARY,
OR UNSAFE CONDITIONS , LESSEN DENSITY , ELIMINATE OBSOLETE O R OTHER USES
DETRIMENTAL TO THE P UBLIC WELFARE , OR OTHERWISE TO REMO VE OR PREVENT
THE SPREAD OF BLIGHT OR DETERIORATI ON, OR TO PROVIDE LAND F OR NEEDED
PUBLIC FACILITIES ; AND
(7) THE PRESERVATION , IMPROVEMENT , OR EMBELLISHMENT OF
HISTORIC STRUCTURES OR MONUMENTS .
A1–102. POWERS.
(A) THE MUNICIPALITY MAY UNDERTAKE AND CARRY OUT URBAN RENEWAL
PROJECTS IN AREAS OF THE MUNICIPALITY THAT AR E ZONED FOR COMMERCI AL
USE.
(B) THESE PROJECTS SHALL BE LIMITED:
(1) TO BLIGHT CLEARANCE I N BLIGHTED AREAS AND
REDEVELOPMENT OR THE REHABILITATION OF BL IGHTED AREAS ;
(2) TO ACQUIRE IN CONNECT ION WITH THOSE PROJE CTS, WITHIN
THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF T HE MUNICIPALITY , LAND AND PROPERTY OF EVERY
KIND AND ANY RIGHT , INTEREST, FRANCHISE, EASEMENT, OR PRIVILEGE ,
INCLUDING LAND OR PR OPERTY AND ANY RIGHT OR INTEREST ALREADY DEVOTED
TO PUBLIC USE, BY PURCHASE, LEASE, GIFT, CONDEMNATION , OR ANY OTHER LEGAL
MEANS; AND
(3) TO SELL, LEASE, CONVEY, TRANSFER, OR OTHERWISE DISPOSE OF
ANY OF THE LAND OR P ROPERTY, REGARDLESS OF WHETHE R OR NOT IT HAS BEEN
DEVELOPED , REDEVELOPED , ALTERED, OR IMPROVED AND IRRE SPECTIVE OF THE
MANNER OR MEANS IN O R BY WHICH IT MAY HAVE BE EN ACQUIRED, TO ANY PRIVATE,
PUBLIC, OR QUASI–PUBLIC CORPORATION , PARTNERSHIP , ASSOCIATION, PERSON,
OR OTHER LEGAL ENTIT Y.
Ch. 599 2022 LAWS OF MARYLAND
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(C) LAND OR PROPERTY TAKE N BY THE MUNICIPALIT Y FOR ANY OF THESE
PURPOSES OR IN CONNE CTION WITH THE EXERC ISE OF ANY OF THE POWERS WH ICH
ARE GRANTED BY THIS APPENDIX TO THE MUNI CIPALITY BY EXERCISI NG THE
POWER OF EMINENT DOM AIN MAY NOT BE TAKEN WITHOUT JUST COMPENS ATION,
AS AGREED ON BETWEEN THE PARTIES, OR AWARDED BY A JURY , BEING FIRST PAID
OR TENDERED TO THE P ARTY ENTITLED TO THE COMP ENSATION.
(D) ALL LAND OR PROPERTY NEEDED OR TAKEN BY T HE EXERCISE OF THE
POWER OF EMINENT DOM AIN BY THE MUNICIPAL ITY FOR ANY OF THESE PURPOSES
OR IN CONNECTION WIT H THE EXERCISE OF AN Y OF THE POWERS GRAN TED BY THIS
APPENDIX IS DECLARED TO BE NEEDE D OR TAKEN FOR PUBLI C USES AND
PURPOSES.
(E) ANY OR ALL OF THE ACT IVITIES AUTHORIZED P URSUANT TO THIS
APPENDIX CONSTITUTE GOVERNMENTAL FUNCTIO NS UNDERTAKEN FOR PU BLIC
USES AND PURPOSES AN D THE POWER OF TAXAT ION MAY BE EXERCISED , PUBLIC
FUNDS EXPENDED , AND PUBLIC CREDIT EX TENDED IN FURTHERANC E OF THEM.
A1–103. ADDITIONAL POWERS .
THE MUNICIPALITY HAS THE FOLLOWING ADDITI ONAL POWERS . THESE
POWERS ARE DECLARED TO BE NECESSARY AND PROPER TO CARRY INTO FULL
FORCE AND EFFECT THE SPECIFIC POWERS GRANTED IN THI S APPENDIX AND TO
FULLY ACCOMPLISH THE PURPOSES AND OBJECTS CONTEMPLATED BY THE
PROVISIONS OF THIS S ECTION:
(1) TO MAKE OR HAVE MADE ALL SURVEYS AND PLAN S NECESSARY TO
THE CARRYING OUT OF THE PURPOSES OF THIS APPENDIX AND TO ADOP T OR
APPROVE, MODIFY, AND AMEND THOSE PLAN S. THESE PLANS MAY INCLU DE, BUT
ARE NOT LIMITED TO :
(I) PLANS FOR CARRYING OU T A PROGRAM OF VOLUN TARY OR
COMPULSORY REPAIR AN D REHABILITATION OF BUILDINGS AND IMPROV EMENTS;
(II) PLANS FOR THE ENFORCE MENT OF CO DES AND
REGULATIONS RELATING TO THE USE OF LAND A ND THE USE AND OCCUP ANCY OF
BUILDINGS AND IMPROV EMENTS AND TO THE CO MPULSORY REPAIR ,
REHABILITATION , DEMOLITION, OR REMOVAL OF BUILDI NGS AND IMPROVEMENTS ;
AND
(III) APPRAISALS, TITLE SEARCHES , SURVEYS, STUDIES, AND
OTHER PLANS AND WORK NECESSARY TO PREPARE FOR THE UNDERTAKING OF LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 599
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URBAN RENEWAL PROJEC TS AND RELATED ACTIV ITIES, AND TO APPLY FOR ,
ACCEPT, AND UTILIZE GRANTS O F FUNDS FROM THE FED ERAL GOVERNMENT OR A NY
OTHER GOVERNMENTAL E NTITY FOR THOSE PURP OSES;
(2) TO PREPARE PLANS FOR THE RELOCATION OF PE RSONS
(INCLUDING FAMILIES , BUSINESS CONCERNS , AND OTHERS ) DISPLACED FROM AN
URBAN RENEWAL AREA , AND TO MAKE RELOCATI ON PAYMENTS TO OR WI TH
RESPECT TO THOSE PER SONS FOR MOVING EXPE NSES AND LOSSES OF P ROPERTY
FOR WHICH REIMBURSEM ENT OR COMPENSATION IS NOT OTHERWISE MAD E,
INCLUDING THE MAKING OF PAYMENTS FINANCED BY THE FEDERAL GOVER NMENT;
(3) TO APPROPRIATE WHATEV ER FUNDS AND MAKE WH ATEVER
EXPENDITURES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO CARR Y OUT THE PURPOSES O F THIS
APPENDIX, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED :
(I) TO THE PAYMENT OF ANY AND ALL COSTS AND EX PENSES
INCURRED IN CONNECTI ON WITH, OR INCIDENTAL TO , THE ACQUISITION OF L AND
OR PROPERTY , AND FOR THE DEMOLITI ON, REMOVAL, RELOCATION , RENOVATION,
OR ALTERATION OF LAN D, BUILDINGS, STREETS, HIGHWAYS, ALLEYS, UTILITIES, OR
SERVICES, AND OTHER STRUCTURES OR IMPROVEMENTS , AND FOR THE
CONSTRUCTION , RECONSTRUCTION , INSTALLATION, RELOCATION , OR REPAIR OF
STREETS, HIGHWAYS, ALLEYS, UTILITIES, OR SERVICES , IN CONNECTION WITH
URBAN RENEWAL PROJECTS ;
(II) TO LEVY TAXES AND ASS ESSMENTS FOR THOSE P URPOSES;
(III) TO BORROW MONEY AND T O APPLY FOR AND ACCE PT
ADVANCES, LOANS, GRANTS, CONTRIBUTIONS , AND ANY OTHER FORM O F FINANCIAL
ASSISTANCE FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT , THE STATE, COUNTY, OR OTHER
PUBLIC BODIES, OR FROM ANY SOURCES , PUBLIC OR PRIVATE , FOR THE PURPOSES
OF THIS APPENDIX , AND TO GIVE WHATEVER SECURITY AS MAY BE R EQUIRED FOR
THIS FINANCIAL ASSIS TANCE; AND
(IV) TO INVEST ANY URBAN R ENEWAL FUNDS HELD IN RESERVES
OR SINKING FUNDS OR ANY OF THESE FUNDS N OT REQUIRED FOR IMME DIATE
DISBURSEMENT IN PROP ERTY OR SECURITIES W HICH ARE LEGAL INVES TMENTS FOR
OTHER MUNICIPAL FUND S;
(4) (I) TO HOLD , IMPROVE, CLEAR, OR PREPARE FOR
REDEVELOPMENT ANY PR OPERTY ACQUIRED IN C ONNECTION WITH URBAN
RENEWAL PROJECTS ;
(II) TO MORTGAGE , PLEDGE, HYPOTHECATE , OR OTHERWISE Ch. 599 2022 LAWS OF MARYLAND
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ENCUMBER THAT PROPER TY; AND
(III) TO INSURE OR PROVIDE FOR THE INSURANCE OF THE
PROPERTY OR OPERATIO NS OF THE MUNICIPALI TY AGAINST ANY RISKS OR
HAZARDS, INCLUDING THE POWER TO PAY PREMIUMS ON ANY INSU RANCE;
(5) TO MAKE AND EXECUTE A LL CONTRACTS AND OTH ER
INSTRUMENTS NECESSAR Y OR CONVENIENT TO T HE EXERCISE OF ITS P OWERS
UNDER THIS APPENDIX , INCLUDING THE POWER TO ENTER INTO AGREEM ENTS WITH
OTHER PUBLIC BODIES OR AGENCIES (THESE AGREEMENTS MAY EXTEND OVER ANY
PERIOD, NOTWITHSTANDING ANY PROVISION OR RULE OF LAW TO THE CONTRARY ),
AND TO INCLUDE IN AN Y CONTRACT FOR FINAN CIAL ASSISTANCE WITH THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT F OR OR WITH RESPECT T O AN URBAN RENEWAL P ROJECT
AND RELATED ACTIVITIES A NY CONDITIONS IMPOSE D PURSUANT TO FEDERA L LAWS
AS THE MUNICIPALITY CONSIDERS REASONABLE AND APPROPRIATE ;
(6) TO ENTER INTO ANY BUI LDING OR PROPERTY IN ANY URBAN
RENEWAL AREA IN ORDE R TO MAKE INSPECTION S, SURVEYS, APPRAISALS,
SOUNDING S, OR TEST BORINGS, AND TO OBTAIN AN ORD ER FOR THIS PURPOSE FROM
THE CIRCUIT COURT FO R THE COUNTY IN WHIC H THE MUNICIPALITY I S SITUATED IN
THE EVENT ENTRY IS D ENIED OR RESISTED ;
(7) TO PLAN, REPLAN, INSTALL, CONSTRUCT , RECONSTRUCT ,
REPAIR, CLOSE, OR VACATE STREETS, ROADS, SIDEWALKS, PUBLIC UTILITIES ,
PARKS, PLAYGROUNDS , AND OTHER PUBLIC IMP ROVEMENTS IN CONNECT ION WITH
AN URBAN RENEWAL PRO JECT AND TO MAKE EXC EPTIONS FROM BUILDIN G
REGULATIONS ;
(8) TO GENERALLY ORGANIZE , COORDINATE , AND DIRECT THE
ADMINISTRATION OF THE PROV ISIONS OF THIS APPEN DIX AS THEY APPLY TO THE
MUNICIPALITY IN ORDE R THAT THE OBJECTIVE OF REMEDYING BLIGHTE D AREAS
AND PREVENTING ITS C AUSES WITHIN THE MUN ICIPALITY MAY BE PRO MOTED AND
ACHIEVED MOST EFFECT IVELY; AND
(9) TO EXERCISE AL L OR ANY PART OR COM BINATION OF THE
POWERS GRANTED IN TH IS APPENDIX.
A1–104. ESTABLISHMENT OF URBA N RENEWAL AGENCY .
(A) A MUNICIPALITY MAY ITS ELF EXERCISE ALL THE POWERS GRANTED BY
THIS APPENDIX , OR MAY, IF ITS LEGISLATIVE B ODY BY ORDINANCE DET ERMINES
THE ACTION TO BE IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST , ELECT TO HAVE THE PO WERS LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 599
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EXERCISED BY A SEPAR ATE PUBLIC BODY OR A GENCY.
(B) IN THE EVENT THE LEGI SLATIVE BODY MAKES T HAT DETERMINATION ,
IT SHALL PROCEED BY ORDINANCE TO ESTABLI SH A PUBLIC BODY OR AGENCY TO
UNDERTA KE IN THE MUNICIPALI TY THE ACTIVITIES AU THORIZED BY THIS
APPENDIX.
(C) THE ORDINANCE SHALL I NCLUDE PROVISIONS ES TABLISHING THE
NUMBER OF MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC BODY OR A GENCY, THE MANNER OF THEIR
APPOINTMENT AND REMO VAL, AND THE TERMS OF THE MEMBERS AND T HEIR
COMPENSATION .
(D) THE ORDINANCE MAY INC LUDE WHATEVER ADDITI ONAL PROVISIONS
RELATING TO THE ORGA NIZATION OF THE PUBL IC BODY OR AGENCY AS MAY BE
NECESSARY.
(E) IN THE EVENT THE LEGI SLATIVE BODY ENACTS THIS ORDINANCE , ALL
OF THE POWERS BY THI S APPENDIX GRANTED TO THE MU NICIPALITY, FROM THE
EFFECTIVE DATE OF TH E ORDINANCE, ARE VESTED IN THE PU BLIC BODY OR AGENCY
ESTABLISHED BY THE O RDINANCE.
A1–105. POWERS WITHHELD FROM THE AGENCY.
THE AGENCY MAY NOT :
(1) PASS A RESOLUTION TO INITIATE AN URBAN RE NEWAL PROJECT
PURSUANT TO SECTIONS A1–102 AND A1–103 OF THIS APPENDIX ;
(2) ISSUE GENERAL OBLIGAT ION BONDS PURSUANT T O SECTION
A1–111 OF THIS APPENDIX ; OR
(3) APPROPRIATE FUNDS OR LEVY TAXES AND ASSES SMENTS
PURSUANT TO SECTION A1–103(3) OF THIS APPEN DIX.
A1–106. INITIATION OF PROJECT .
IN ORDER TO INITIATE AN URBAN RENEWAL PRO JECT, THE LEGISLATIVE
BODY OF THE MUNICIPA LITY SHALL ADOPT A R ESOLUTION WHICH :
(1) FINDS THAT ONE OR MOR E BLIGHTED AREAS EXI ST IN THE
MUNICIPALITY ;
(2) LOCATES AND DEFINES THE BLIGHTED AREA; AND Ch. 599 2022 LAWS OF MARYLAND
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(3) FINDS THAT THE REHABI LITATION, REDEVELOPMENT , OR A
COMBINATION OF THEM , OF THE AREA OR AREAS , IS NECESSARY AND IN THE
INTEREST OF THE PUBL IC HEALTH, SAFETY, MORALS, OR WELFARE OF THE
RESIDENTS OF THE MUN ICIPALITY.
A1–107. PREPARATION AND APPRO VAL OF PLAN FOR URBA N RENEWAL PROJECT .
(A) IN ORDER TO CARRY OUT THE PURPOSES OF THIS APPENDIX, THE
MUNICIPALITY SHALL H AVE PREPARED AN URBA N RENEWAL PLAN FOR B LIGHTED
AREAS IN THE MUNICIP ALITY AND SHALL APPR OVE THE PLAN FORM ALLY. THE
MUNICIPALITY SHALL H OLD A PUBLIC HEARING ON AN URBAN RENEWAL PROJECT
AFTER PUBLIC NOTICE OF IT BY PUBLICATION IN A NEWSPAPER HAVIN G A GENERAL
CIRCULATION WITHIN T HE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE MUNICIPALITY . THE NOTICE
SHALL DESCRIBE THE T IME, DATE, PLACE, AND PURPOSE OF THE H EARING, SHALL
GENERALLY IDENTIFY T HE URBAN RENEWAL ARE A COVERED BY THE PLA N, AND
SHALL OUTLINE THE GE NERAL SCOPE OF THE U RBAN RENEWAL PROJECT UNDER
CONSIDERATION . FOLLOWING THE HEARING , THE MUNICIPALITY MAY APPROVE AN
URBAN RENEWA L PROJECT AND THE PL AN THEREFOR IF IT FI NDS THAT:
(1) A FEASIBLE METHOD EXIS TS FOR THE LOCATION OF ANY
FAMILIES OR NATURAL PERSONS WHO WILL BE DISPLACED FROM THE U RBAN
RENEWAL AREA IN DECE NT, SAFE, AND SANITARY DWELLIN G ACCOMMODATIONS
WITHIN THEIR MEANS AND WITHOUT UNDUE HA RDSHIP TO THE FAMILI ES OR
NATURAL PERSONS ;
(2) THE URBAN RENEWAL PLA N CONFORMS SUBSTANTI ALLY TO THE
MASTER PLAN OF THE M UNICIPALITY AS A WHO LE; AND
(3) THE URBAN RENEWAL PLA N WILL AFFORD MAXIMU M
OPPORTUNITY , CONSISTENT WITH THE SOUND NEEDS OF THE MU NICIPALITY AS A
WHOLE, FOR THE REHABILITATI ON OR REDEVELOPMENT OF THE URBAN RENEWAL
AREA BY PRIVATE ENTE RPRISE.
(B) AN URBAN RENEWAL PLAN MAY BE MODIFIED AT A NY TIME. IF
MODIFIED AFTER THE L EASE OR SALE OF REAL PROPERTY IN THE URBA N RENEWAL
PROJECT AREA , THE MODIFICATION MAY BE CONDITIONED ON WH ATEVER
APPROVAL OF THE OWNE R, LESSEE, OR SUCCESSOR IN INTE REST AS THE
MUNICIPALITY CONSIDE RS ADVISABLE. IN ANY EVENT, IT SHALL BE SUBJECT TO
WHATEVER RIGHTS AT L AW OR IN EQUITY AS A LESSEE OR PU RCHASER, OR THE
SUCCESSOR OR SUCCESS ORS IN INTEREST, MAY BE ENTITLED TO A SSERT. WHERE
THE PROPOSED MODIFIC ATION WILL CHANGE SU BSTANTIALLY THE URBA N LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 599
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RENEWAL PLAN AS APPR OVED PREVIOUSLY BY T HE MUNICIPALITY , THE
MODIFICATION SHALL B E APPROVED FORMALLY BY THE MUNICIPALITY, AS IN THE
CASE OF AN ORIGINAL PLAN.
(C) ON THE APPROVAL BY TH E MUNICIPALITY OF AN URBAN RENEWAL PLAN
OR OF ANY MODIFICATI ON OF IT, THE PLAN OR MODIFICA TION SHALL BE
CONSIDERED TO BE IN FULL FORCE AND EFFEC T FOR THE RESPECTIVE URBAN
RENEWAL AREA. THE MUNICIPALITY MAY HAVE THE PLAN OR MOD IFICATION
CARRIED OUT IN ACCOR DANCE WITH ITS TERMS .
A1–108. DISPOSAL OF PROPERTY IN URBAN RENEWAL ARE A.
(A) THE MUNICIPALITY , BY ORDINANCE , MAY SELL, LEASE, OR OTHERWISE
TRANSFER REAL PROPER TY OR ANY INTERE ST IN IT ACQUIRED BY IT FOR AN URBAN
RENEWAL PROJECT TO A NY PERSON FOR RESIDE NTIAL, RECREATIONAL ,
COMMERCIAL , INDUSTRIAL, EDUCATIONAL , OR OTHER USES OR FOR PUBLIC USE, OR
IT MAY RETAIN THE PR OPERTY OR INTEREST F OR PUBLIC USE , IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE URBAN R ENEWAL PLAN AND SUBJ ECT TO WHATEVER COVE NANTS,
CONDITIONS, AND RESTRICTIONS , INCLUDING COVENANTS RUNNING WITH THE
LAND, AS IT CONSIDERS NECE SSARY OR DESIRABLE T O ASSIST IN PREVENTI NG THE
DEVELOPMENT OR SPREA D OF FUTURE BLIGHTED AREAS OR TO OTHERWIS E CARRY
OUT THE PURPOSES OF THIS APPENDIX. THE PURCHASERS OR LES SEES AND THEIR
SUCCESSORS AND ASSIG NS SHALL BE OBLIGATE D TO DEVOTE THE REAL PROPERTY
ONLY TO THE USES SPE CIFIED IN THE URBAN RENEWAL PLAN AND MAY BE
OBLIGATED TO COMPLY WITH WHATEVER OTHER REQUIREMENT S THE
MUNICIPALITY DETERMI NES TO BE IN THE PUB LIC INTEREST, INCLUDING THE
OBLIGATION TO BEGIN WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME ANY IMPROVEMENT S ON THE
REAL PROPERTY REQUIR ED BY THE URBAN RENE WAL PLAN. THE REAL PROPERTY
OR INTEREST MAY NOT BE SOLD, LEASED, OTHERWIS E TRANSFERRED , OR RETAINED
AT LESS THAN ITS FAI R VALUE FOR USES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE URBAN
RENEWAL PLAN . IN DETERMINING THE FA IR VALUE OF REAL PRO PERTY FOR USES
IN ACCORDANCE WITH T HE URBAN RENEWAL PLA N, THE MUNICIPALITY SHA LL TAKE
INTO ACCOUNT AND GIV E CONSIDERATION TO THE USES PROVIDED IN THE PLAN,
THE RESTRICTIONS ON , AND THE COVENANTS , CONDITIONS, AND OBLIGATIONS
ASSUMED BY THE PURCH ASER OR LESSEE OR BY THE MUNICIPALITY RET AINING THE
PROPERTY, AND THE OBJECTIVES O F THE PLAN FOR THE P REVENTION OF THE
RECURRENCE OF BLIGHTE D AREAS. IN ANY INSTRUMENT OR CONVEYANCE TO A
PRIVATE PURCHASER OR LESSEE, THE MUNICIPALITY MAY PROVIDE THAT THE
PURCHASER OR LESSEE MAY NOT SELL, LEASE, OR OTHERWISE TRANSFE R THE REAL
PROPERTY WITHOUT THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSEN T OF THE MUNICIPALITY UNTIL
THE PURCHASER OR LES SEE HAS COMPLETED TH E CONSTRUCTION OF AN Y OR ALL
IMPROVEMENTS WHICH T HE PURCHASER OR LESS EE HAS BEEN OBLIGATE D TO
CONSTRUCT ON THE PRO PERTY. REAL PROPERTY ACQUIRE D BY THE MUNICIPALIT Y Ch. 599 2022 LAWS OF MARYLAND
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WHICH, IN ACCORDANCE WITH T HE PROVISIONS OF THE URBAN RENEWAL PLAN , IS
TO BE TRANSFERRED , SHALL BE TRANSFERRED AS RAPIDLY AS FEASIB LE IN THE
PUBLIC INTEREST CONS ISTENT WITH THE CARR YING OUT OF THE PROV ISIONS OF
THE URBAN RENEWAL PL AN. ANY CONTRACT FOR THE TRANSFER AND THE URB AN
RENEWAL PLA N (OR ANY PART OR PARTS OF THE CONTRACT OR P LAN AS THE
MUNICIPALITY DETERMI NES) MAY BE RECORDED IN T HE LAND RECORDS OF T HE
COUNTY IN WHICH THE MUNICIPALITY IS SITU ATED IN A MANNER SO AS TO AFFORD
ACTUAL OR CONSTRUCTI VE NOTICE OF IT.
(B) THE MUNICIPALITY , BY ORDINANCE , MAY DISPOSE OF REAL PROPERTY
IN AN URBAN RENEWAL AREA TO PRIVATE PERS ONS. THE MUNICIPALITY MAY , BY
PUBLIC NOTICE BY PUB LICATION IN A NEWSPA PER HAVING A GENERAL
CIRCULATION IN THE C OMMUNITY, INVITE PROPOSALS FRO M AND MAKE AVAILABLE
ALL PERTIN ENT INFORMATION TO P RIVATE REDEVELOPERS OR ANY PERSONS
INTERESTED IN UNDERT AKING TO REDEVELOP O R REHABILITATE AN UR BAN
RENEWAL AREA , OR ANY PART THEREOF . THE NOTICE SHALL IDEN TIFY THE AREA,
OR PORTION THEREOF , AND SHALL STATE THAT PROPOSALS SHALL BE M ADE BY
THOSE INTERESTED WIT HIN A SPECIFIED PERI OD. THE MUNICIPALITY SHAL L
CONSIDER ALL REDEVEL OPMENT OR REHABILITA TION PROPOSALS AND T HE
FINANCIAL AND LEGAL ABILITY OF THE PERSO NS MAKING PROPOSALS TO CARRY
THEM OUT, AND MAY NEGOTIATE WI TH ANY PERSONS FOR P ROPOSALS FOR THE
PURCHASE, LEASE, OR OTHER TRANSFER OF ANY REAL PROPERTY AC QUIRED BY
THE MUNICIPALITY IN THE URBAN RENEWAL AR EA. THE MUNICIPALITY MAY ACCEPT
ANY PROPOSAL AS IT D EEMS TO BE IN THE PU BLIC INTEREST AND IN FURTHERANCE
OF THE PURPOSES OF T HIS APPENDI X. THEREAFTER, THE MUNICIPALITY MAY
EXECUTE AND DELIVER CONTRACTS, DEEDS, LEASES, AND OTHER INSTRUMENT S
AND TAKE ALL STEPS N ECESSARY TO EFFECTUA TE THE TRANSFERS .
(C) THE MUNICIPALITY MAY OPERATE TEMPORARILY AND MAINTAIN REAL
PROPERTY ACQUIRED BY IT IN AN URBAN RENEWAL AREA F OR OR IN CONNECTION
WITH AN URBAN RENEWA L PROJECT PENDING TH E DISPOSITION OF THE PROPERTY
AS AUTHORIZED IN THI S APPENDIX, WITHOUT REGARD TO TH E PROVISIONS OF
SUBSECTION (A), FOR USES AND PURPOSE S CONSIDERED DESIRAB LE EVEN THOUGH
NOT IN CONFORMITY WITH THE URBAN RENEWAL PLAN .
(D) ANY INSTRUMENT EXECUT ED BY THE MUNICIPALI TY AND PURPORTING
TO CONVEY ANY RIGHT , TITLE, OR INTEREST IN ANY P ROPERTY UNDER THIS
APPENDIX SHALL BE PR ESUMED CONCLUSIVELY TO HAVE BEEN EXECUTE D IN
COMPLIANCE WITH TH E PROVISIONS OF THIS APPENDIX INSOFAR AS TITLE OR
OTHER INTEREST OF AN Y BONA FIDE PURCHASE RS, LESSEES, OR TRANSFEREES OF
THE PROPERTY IS CONC ERNED.
LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 599
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A1–109. EMINENT DOMAIN .
CONDEMNATION OF LAND OR PROPERTY UNDER TH E PROVISIONS OF THIS
APPENDIX SHALL BE I N ACCORDANCE WITH TH E PROCEDURE PROVIDED IN THE
REAL PROPERTY ARTICLE OF THE ANNOTATED CODE OF MARYLAND.
A1–110. ENCOURAGEMENT OF PRIV ATE ENTERPRISE .
THE MUNICIPALITY , TO THE EXTENT IT DET ERMINES TO BE FEASIB LE IN
CARRYING OUT THE PRO VISIONS OF THIS APP ENDIX, SHALL AFFORD MAXIMUM
OPPORTUNITY TO THE R EHABILITATION OR RED EVELOPMENT OF ANY UR BAN
RENEWAL AREA BY PRIV ATE ENTERPRISE CONSI STENT WITH THE SOUND NEEDS OF
THE MUNICIPALITY AS A WHOLE. THE MUNICIPALITY SHAL L GIVE CONSIDERATION
TO THIS OBJECTIVE IN EXERCISING ITS POWERS UNDER THIS APPENDIX .
A1–111. GENERAL OBLIGATION BO NDS.
FOR THE PURPOSE OF FI NANCING AND CARRYING OUT AN URBAN RENEWAL
PROJECT AND RELATED ACTIVITIES, THE MUNICIPALITY MAY ISSUE AND SELL ITS
GENERAL OBLIGATION B ONDS. ANY BONDS ISSUED BY THE MUNICIPALITY
PURSUANT TO THIS SEC TION SHALL BE ISSUED IN THE MANNER AND WI THIN THE
LIMITATIONS PRESCRIB ED BY APPLICABLE LAW FOR THE ISSUANCE AND
AUTHORIZATION OF GEN ERAL OBLIGATION BOND S BY THE MUNICIPALIT Y, AND
ALSO WITHIN LIMITATI ONS DETERMINED BY THE MUNICIPALITY .
A1–112. REVENUE BONDS .
(A) IN ADDITION TO THE AU THORITY CONFERRED BY SECTION A1–111 OF
THIS APPENDIX, THE MUNICIPALITY MAY ISSUE REVENUE BONDS TO FINANCE THE
UNDERTAKING OF ANY U RBAN RENEWAL PROJECT AND RELATED ACTIVITI ES. ALSO,
IT MAY ISSUE REFUNDING BO NDS FOR THE PAYMENT OR RETIREMENT OF THE
BONDS ISSUED PREVIOU SLY BY IT. THE BONDS SHALL BE MA DE PAYABLE, AS TO
BOTH PRINCIPAL AND I NTEREST, SOLELY FROM THE INCO ME, PROCEEDS,
REVENUES, AND FUNDS OF THE MUN ICIPALITY DERIVED FR OM OR HELD I N
CONNECTION WITH THE UNDERTAKING AND CARR YING OUT OF URBAN RE NEWAL
PROJECTS UNDER THIS APPENDIX. HOWEVER, PAYMENT OF THE BONDS , BOTH AS
TO PRINCIPAL AND INT EREST, MAY BE FURTHER SECUR ED BY A PLEDGE OF AN Y
LOAN, GRANT, OR CONTRIBUTION FROM THE FEDERAL GOVE RNMENT OR OTHER
SOURCE, IN AID OF ANY URBAN RENEWAL PROJECTS OF THE MUNICIPALITY UND ER
THIS APPENDIX, AND BY A MORTGAGE OF ANY URBAN RENEWAL PR OJECT, OR ANY
PART OF A PROJECT , TITLE TO WHICH IS IN THE MUNICIPALITY . IN ADDITION, THE
MUNICIPALITY MAY ENT ER INTO AN INDENTURE OF TRUST WITH ANY PRIVA TE
BANKING INSTITUTION OF THIS STATE HAVING TRUST PO WERS AND MAY MAKE IN Ch. 599 2022 LAWS OF MARYLAND
– 12 –
THE INDENTURE OF TRU ST COVENANTS AND COM MITMENTS REQUIRED BY ANY
PURCHASER FOR THE AD EQUATE SECURITY OF T HE BONDS.
(B) BONDS ISSUED UNDER TH IS SECTION DO NOT CON STITUTE AN
INDEBTEDNESS WITHIN THE MEANING OF ANY C ONSTITUTIONAL OR STA TUTORY
DEBT LIMITATION OR R ESTRICTION, ARE NOT SUBJECT TO T HE PROVISIONS OF ANY
OTHER LAW OR CHARTER RELATING TO THE AUTH ORIZATION, ISSUANCE, OR SALE
OF BONDS , AND ARE EXEMPTED SPECIFIC ALLY FROM THE RESTRI CTIONS
CONTAINED IN §§ 19–205 AND 19–206 OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ARTICLE OF
THE ANNOTATED CODE OF MARYLAND. BONDS ISSUED UNDER TH E PROVISIONS OF
THIS APPENDIX ARE DE CLARED TO BE ISSUED FOR AN ESSENTIAL PUB LIC AND
GOVERNMENTAL PURPOSE AN D, TOGETHER WITH INTERE ST ON THEM AND INCOM E
FROM THEM , ARE EXEMPT FROM ALL TAXES.
(C) BONDS ISSUED UNDER TH IS SECTION SHALL BE AUTHORIZED BY
RESOLUTION OR ORDINA NCE OF THE LEGISLATI VE BODY OF THE MUNIC IPALITY.
THEY MAY BE ISSUED IN ONE OR MORE SERIES AN D SHALL:
(1) BEAR A DATE OR DATES ;
(2) MATURE AT A TIME OR T IMES;
(3) BEAR INTEREST AT A RA TE OR RATES;
(4) BE IN A DENOMINATION OR DENOMINATIONS ;
(5) BE IN A FORM EITHER W ITH OR WITHOUT COUPO N OR
REGISTERED ;
(6) CARRY A CONVERSION OR REGI STRATION PRIVILEGE ;
(7) HAVE A RANK OR PRIORI TY;
(8) BE EXECUTED IN A MANN ER;
(9) BE PAYABLE IN A MEDIU M OF PAYMENT , AT A PLACE OR PLACES ,
AND BE SUBJECT TO TE RMS OF REDEMPTION (WITH OR WITHOUT PREM IUM);
(10) BE SECURED IN A MANNER; AND
(11) HAVE OTHER CHARACTERI STICS, AS ARE PROVIDED BY T HE
RESOLUTION , TRUST INDENTURE , OR MORTGAGE ISSUED P URSUANT TO IT. LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 599
– 13 –
(D) THESE BONDS MAY NOT B E SOLD AT LESS THAN PAR VALUE AT PUBLIC
SALES WHICH ARE HELD AFTER NOTICE IS PUBL ISHED PRIOR TO THE SALE IN A
NEWSPAPER HAVING A G ENERAL CIRCULATION I N THE AREA IN WHICH THE
MUNICIPALITY IS LOCA TED AND IN WHATEVER OTHER MEDIUM OF PUBL ICATION AS
THE MUNICIPALITY MAY DETERMINE. THE BONDS MAY BE EXCH ANGED ALSO FOR
OTHER BONDS ON THE B ASIS OF PAR. HOWEVER, THE BONDS MAY NOT BE SOLD TO
THE FEDERAL GOVERNME NT AT PRIVATE SALE A T LESS THAN PAR , AND, IN THE
EVENT LESS THAN ALL OF THE AUTHORIZED PR INCIPAL AMOUNT OF TH E BONDS IS
SOLD TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT , THE BALANCE MAY NOT BE SOLD AT PRIVATE
SALE AT LESS THAN PAR AT AN I NTEREST COST TO THE MUNICIPALITY WHICH D OES
NOT EXCEED THE INTER EST COST TO THE MUNI CIPALITY OF THE PORT ION OF THE
BONDS SOLD TO THE FE DERAL GOVERNMENT .
(E) IN CASE ANY OF THE PU BLIC OFFICIALS OF TH E MUNICIPALITY WHOSE
SIGNATURES APPE AR ON ANY BONDS OR C OUPONS ISSUED UNDER THIS APPENDIX
CEASE TO BE OFFICIAL S OF THE MUNICIPALIT Y BEFORE THE DELIVER Y OF THE
BONDS OR IN THE EVEN T ANY OF THE OFFICIA LS HAVE BECOME SUCH AFTER THE
DATE OF ISSUE OF THE M, THE BONDS ARE VALID AND BINDING OBLIGATI ONS OF THE
MUNICIPALITY IN ACCO RDANCE WITH THEIR TE RMS. ANY PROVISION OF ANY LAW
TO THE CONTRARY NOTW ITHSTANDING, ANY BONDS ISSUED PUR SUANT TO THIS
APPENDIX ARE FULLY N EGOTIABLE.
(F) IN ANY SUIT, ACTION, OR PROCEEDING INVOLV ING THE VALIDITY OR
ENFORCEABI LITY OF ANY BOND ISS UED UNDER THIS APPEN DIX, OR THE SECURITY
FOR IT, ANY BOND WHICH RECIT ES IN SUBSTANCE THAT IT HAS BEEN ISSUED B Y THE
MUNICIPALITY IN CONN ECTION WITH AN URBAN RENEWAL PROJECT SHAL L BE
CONSIDERED CONCLUSIV ELY TO HAVE BEEN ISS UED FOR THAT P URPOSE, AND THE
PROJECT SHALL BE CON SIDERED CONCLUSIVELY TO HAVE BEEN PLANNED ,
LOCATED, AND CARRIED OUT IN A CCORDANCE WITH THE P ROVISIONS OF THIS
APPENDIX.
(G) ALL BANKS, TRUST COMPANIES , BANKERS, SAVINGS BANKS , AND
INSTITUTIONS, BUILDING AND LOAN AS SOCIATIONS, SAVINGS AND LOAN
ASSOCIATIONS, INVESTMENT COMPANIES , AND OTHER PERSONS CA RRYING ON A
BANKING OR INVESTMEN T BUSINESS; ALL INSURANCE COMPAN IES, INSURANCE
ASSOCIATIONS, AND OTHER PERSONS CA RRYING ON AN INSURAN CE BUSINESS; AND
ALL EXECUTORS , ADMINISTRA TORS, CURATORS, TRUSTEES, AND OTHER
FIDUCIARIES, MAY LEGALLY INVEST A NY SINKING FUNDS , MONEYS, OR OTHER
FUNDS BELONGING TO T HEM OR WITHIN THEIR CONTROL IN ANY BONDS OR OTHER
OBLIGATIONS ISSUED B Y THE MUNICIPALITY P URSUANT TO THIS APPE NDIX.
HOWEVER, THE BONDS AND OTHER OBLIGAT IONS SHALL BE SECURE D BY AN
AGREEMENT BETWEEN TH E ISSUER AND THE FED ERAL GOVERNMENT IN W HICH THE Ch. 599 2022 LAWS OF MARYLAND
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ISSUER AGREES TO BOR ROW FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THE F EDERAL
GOVERNMENT AGREES TO LEND TO THE ISSUER , PRIOR TO THE MATURIT Y OF THE
BONDS OR OTHER OBLIGA TIONS, MONEYS IN AN AMOUNT WHICH (TOGETHER WITH
ANY OTHER MONEYS COM MITTED IRREVOCABLY T O THE PAYMENT OF PRI NCIPAL
AND INTEREST ON THE BONDS OR OTHER OBLIG ATIONS) WILL SUFFICE TO PAY THE
PRINCIPAL OF THE BON DS OR OTHER OBLIGATI ONS WITH INTEREST TO MATURITY
ON THEM. THE MONEYS UNDER THE TERMS OF THE AGREEME NT SHALL BE
REQUIRED TO BE USED FOR THE PURPOSE OF P AYING THE PRINCIPAL OF AND THE
INTEREST ON THE BOND S OR OTHER OBLIGATIO NS AT THEIR MATURITY . THE BONDS
AND OTHER OBLIGATION S SHALL BE AUTHORIZED SECURITY FOR ALL PUBLIC
DEPOSITS. THIS SECTION AUTHORIZ ES ANY PERSONS OR PU BLIC OR PRIVATE
POLITICAL SUBDIVISIO NS AND OFFICERS TO U SE ANY FUNDS OWNED O R
CONTROLLED BY THEM F OR THE PURCHASE OF A NY BONDS OR OTHER
OBLIGATIONS. WITH REGARD TO LEGAL INVESTMENTS , THIS SECTION MAY NOT BE
CONSTRUED TO RELIEVE ANY PERSON OF ANY DU TY OF EXERCISING REA SONABLE
CARE IN SELECTING SE CURITIES.
A1–113. SHORT TITLE.
THIS APPENDIX SHALL B E KNOWN AND MAY BE C ITED AS THE WILLIAMSPORT
URBAN RENEWAL AUTHORITY FOR BLIGHT CLEARANCE ACT.
A1–114. AUTHORITY TO AMEND OR REPEAL.
THIS APPENDIX, ENACTED PURSUANT TO ARTICLE III, SECTION 61 OF THE
MARYLAND CONSTITUTION, MAY BE AMENDED OR RE PEALED ONLY BY THE
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND.
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect
October 1, 2022.
Enacted under Article II, § 17(c) of the Maryland Constitution, May 29, 2022.