CHAPTER 501

An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chap. 1 of Title 36
thereof an article numbered 7.1, containing sections numbered 86-55.1
through 36-55.6, creating Redevelopment and Urban Renewal Authori-
ties in certain counties, prescribing the method of activation of such
Authorities and for a referendum thereon under certain conditions;
providing for the selection, organization and removal of commis-
sioners of such Authorities, and prescribing their powers and duties,
envestment status of bonds, conferring the power of eminent domain
and providing for liquidation of the project and Authority. rH

379]

Approved March 31, 1960

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That the Code of Virginia be amended by adding in Chap. 1 of Title
36 thereof an article numbered 7.1, containing sections numbered 36-55.1
through 36-55.6, as follows:
Article 7.1

§ 36-55.1. For every county in this State having a density of popu-
lation in excess of four thousand per square mile there is hereby created
a political subdivision of the Commonwealth with such public and cor-
porate powers as are hereinafter conferred which shall be known as “The
co cecesessesessunsessisussstsansevsisesesnaseseee Lavuut:u., County Redevelopment and Urban Renewal
Authority”, hereinafter referred to as ‘‘Authority’; provided that such
Authority shall not transact any business or exercise any powers unless
and until the governing body of the county, after a public hearing as pro-
vided in § 36-44, shall find and declare by resolution that the conditions
set forth in § 36-48 exist in such county, subject to a referendum as here-
inafter provided. If the governing body adopts such resolutions, it shall
call for an election to determine whether the voters approve the need for
such Authority in the county, but such election, if held, shall be held at the
next general election. If such election is called and held the question on the
ballot shall be: ,

Is there a need for a Redevelopment and Urban Renewal Authority in
the County Of nce ccccccccccecssssnseesseeeeseeeeen ?

Yes wu...

| (0

The ballots shall be printed, the returns canvassed and the results
certified as provided in § 24-141.

§ 36-55.2. When the need for an Authority to be activated in the
county has been determined as hereinabove provided the governing body
of the county shall appoint five persons as commissioners of the Authority.
Such appointments shall be made in the manner and for the terms set forth
in § 36-11 for commissioners of housing authorities and the provisions
of Article 2 of this chapter shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to such com-
missioners.

§ 36-55.3. When any such Authority has been created, it shall have
and may exercise the powers relating to redevelopment projects set forth
in Article 7 of this chapter and the provisions of that article shall apply
to authorities created hereunder; provided, however, that no such Author-
ity shall have any power to provide, establish or promote public housing
in such county. The Authority shall further have power:

(2) To sue and be sued; to have a seal and to alter the same at
pleasure; to have perpetual succession; to make and execute contracts and
other instruments necessary or convenient to the exercise of the powers
of the Authority; and to make and from time to time amend and repeal
by-laws, rules and regulations, not inconsistent with law, to carry into
effect the powers and purposes of the Authority.

(b) Within its area of operation, to determine where blighted areas
exist; to make studies and recommendations relating to the problem of
clearing, replanning and reconstructing of blighted areas, and the problem
of facilitating the rehousing of displaced persons through assistance in
the locating of decent, safe and sanitary housing suitable for them and
within their means as well as the encouragement of the development of
private housing, and to cooperate with the city, the county, the Common-
wealth or any other political subdivision thereof in action taken in con-
nection with such problems; and to engage in research, studies and experi-
mentation on the subject of elimination of blighted areas.

(c) Acting through one or more commissioners or other person or
persons designated by the Authority, to conduct examinations and investi-
gations, and to make available to appropriate agencies (including those
charged with the duty of abating or requiring the correction of nuisances
or like conditions, or of demolishing unsafe or insanitary structures
within its area of operation) its findings and recommendations with
regard to any building or property where conditions exist which are dan-
gerous to the public health, morals, safety or welfare.

§ 36-55.4. All bonds issued by the Authority shall be legal invest-
ments and the provisions of § 36-44 shall apply in all respects to such

onds.

§ 36-55.5. The Authority is hereby vested with the power of eminent
domain and the provisions of § 36-27 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the
exercise of such power.

§ 36-55.6. If the governing body of the county determines, after a
public hearing, that the Authority and the project should be liquidated, it
shall proceed in the manner prescribed by § 36-7.1 which shall apply,
mutatis mutandis, in such case.