Sec. 3.

The following plans, statements and actions are hereby made requisite for, and a condition of, the exercise of the powers herein granted for the acquisition, disposal, or lease of real property for the carrying out of a neighborhood betterment plan in a neighborhood area;

(a) A master plan of the municipality approved by the planning commission and adopted by the legislative body, or a master plan sufficiently advanced to permit the designation of neighborhood areas and so approved and adopted;

(b) A plan of neighborhoods that sets forth precisely, the location of neighborhood areas within the municipality, approved by the planning commission, and which has been adopted by the legislative body. Such a plan must conform with the master plan of the municipality;

(c) A neighborhood betterment plan approved by the planning commission and adopted by the legislative body after public hearing thereon as hereinafter provided of the neighborhood area in which is located the land proposed to be acquired for improvement purposes.

Such plan shall designate the location, extent, character and estimated cost of the improvements contemplated for the area; and may include any or all of the following improvements:

Partial or total vacation of plats, or replatting; opening, widening, straightening, extending, vacating or closing streets, alleys or walkways; locating or relocating water mains, sewers, or other public utilities; paving of streets, alleys or sidewalks in special situations; acquiring parks, playgrounds, or other recreational areas or facilities; elimination of nonconforming uses; rehabilitation of blighted areas; street tree planting; green belts, or buffer strips and other appropriate public improvements.

The plan shall also include a feasible method for the relocation of families who will be displaced from the area in decent, safe and sanitary dwelling accommodations within their means and without undue hardship to such families.

The local legislative body, prior to adopting a neighborhood betterment plan, shall hold a public hearing thereon. Notice of time and place of such hearing shall be given by publication in a newspaper of general circulation not less than 30 days prior to the date set for such hearing. Notice of such hearing shall be mailed at least 15 days before such hearing to the last known owner of each parcel of land in such area at the last known address of such owner as shown by the records of the assessor. Such notice shall contain a description of the neighborhood area. For purposes of this notice it shall be sufficient to describe the neighborhood area by its location in relation to highways, streets, streams or otherwise. Such notice shall further contain a statement that maps, plats and a particular description of the betterment plan are available for public inspection at a suitable place to be designated in such notice. At the time set for hearing, the local legislative body shall provide an opportunity for all persons interested to be heard and shall receive and consider communications in writing with reference thereto.

History: 1949, Act 208, Eff. Sept. 23, 1949 ;-- Am. 1957, Act 298, Eff. Sept. 27, 1957