15-9-208. Plan of development; procedure for approval; public hearings; notice thereof; findings of governing body.
(a) An authority shall not actually undertake a development project for a development area unless the governing body, by resolution, has first approved the plan of development which applies to the development project.
(b) Prior to its approval of a plan of development, the governing body shall submit the plan to the planning board of the municipality, if any, for review and recommendations. The planning board shall submit its written recommendations with respect to the proposed plan of development to the governing body within thirty (30) days after receipt of the plan for review. Upon receipt of the recommendations of the planning board or, if no recommendations are received within thirty (30) days, the governing body may proceed with the hearing on the proposed plan of development prescribed by subsection (c) of this section.
(c) The governing body shall hold a public hearing on a plan of development or substantial modification of an approved plan of development after public notice by one (1) publication during the week immediately preceding the hearing, in a newspaper having a general circulation in the municipality. The notice shall describe the time, date, place and purpose of the hearing, shall generally identify the plan of development area covered by the plan and shall outline the general scope of the development project under consideration.
(d) Following the hearing, the governing body may approve a plan of development if it finds there is a need to take corrective measures in order to halt or prevent deterioration of property values or structures within the development area or to halt or prevent the growth of blighted areas therein, or any combination thereof, and if it further finds that the plan will afford maximum opportunity, consistent with the sound needs and plans of the municipality as a whole, for the development or redevelopment of the development area by the authority and by private enterprise.