Maine Revised Statutes
Chapter 203: URBAN RENEWAL
30-A §5109. Acquisition and development of land

§5109. Acquisition and development of land
1. Acquisition of undeveloped land. If the municipal officers determine by resolution that the acquisition and development of undeveloped vacant land, not within a slum or blighted area, is essential to the proper clearance or redevelopment of slum or blighted areas or a necessary part of the general slum-clearance program of the municipality, the acquisition, planning, preparation for development or disposal of that land constitutes an urban renewal project which may be undertaken by the authority, provided that the area may not be so acquired unless:
A. If the undeveloped vacant land is to be developed for residential uses, the municipal officers shall determine that:
(1) A shortage of housing of sound standards and design which is decent, safe and sanitary exists in the municipality;
(2) The need for housing accommodations has been or will be increased because of the clearance of slums in other areas, including other portions of the urban renewal area;
(3) The conditions of blight in the area and the shortage of decent, safe and sanitary housing cause or contribute to an increase in and spread of disease and crime and constitute a menace to the public health, safety, morals or welfare; and
(4) The acquisition of the area for residential uses is an integral part of and essential to the program of the municipality; or [PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
B. If the undeveloped vacant land is to be developed for nonresidential uses, the municipal officers shall determine that:
(1) The nonresidential uses are necessary and appropriate to facilitate the proper growth and development of the community in accordance with sound planning standards and local community objectives; and
(2) The acquisition of the land may require the exercise of governmental action, as provided in this chapter, because of defective or unusual conditions of title, diversity of ownership, tax delinquency, improper subdivisions, outmoded street patterns, deterioration of site, economic disuse, unsuitable topography or faulty lot layouts, the need for the correlation of the area with other areas of a municipality by streets and modern traffic requirements, or any combination of these factors or other conditions which retard development of the area. [PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
[PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
2. Disaster areas. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, where the municipal officers certify that an area requires redevelopment or rehabilitation because of a flood, fire, hurricane, earthquake, storm or other catastrophe concerning which the Governor has certified the need for disaster assistance under federal law, the municipal officers may approve an urban renewal plan and an urban renewal project with respect to that area without regard to section 5108 and the sections requiring a general plan for the municipality and a public hearing on the urban renewal project.
[PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 1987, c. 737, §§A2,C106 (NEW). PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD). PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD). PL 1989, c. 104, §§C8,10 (AMD).