Maryland § 12-803

§ 12-803.

    (a)    In addition to powers granted by law, the county is authorized, as specified by local law:

        (1)    to acquire, within the boundary lines of West Baltimore County, land and property of every kind, and any right, interest, franchise, easement, or privilege in the property, by purchase, lease, gift, condemnation, or any other legal means, for residential, commercial, or industrial development or redevelopment, including comprehensive renovation or rehabilitation of the land or property;

        (2)    to develop or redevelop, including the comprehensive renovation or rehabilitation of, any land or property acquired by any of the methods described under item (1) of this subsection; and

        (3)    to sell, lease, convey, transfer, or otherwise dispose of any of the land or property, regardless of whether the land or property has been developed, redeveloped, altered, or improved and irrespective of the manner or means in or by which the land or property may have been acquired, to any private, public, or quasi–public corporation, partnership, association, person, or other legal entity for residential, commercial, or industrial development or redevelopment, including comprehensive renovation or rehabilitation of the land or property.

    (b)    Land or property taken by the county for any of the purposes described under subsection (a) of this section or in connection with the exercise of any of the powers that may be granted to the county under this section, or by any powers conferred by additional laws by exercising the power of eminent domain, may not be taken without just compensation, as agreed on between the parties or awarded by a jury, being first paid or tendered to the party entitled to that compensation.

    (c)    All land or property needed, or taken by the exercise of the power of eminent domain, by the county for any of the purposes described under subsection (a) of this section or in connection with the exercise of any of the powers that may be granted to the county under this section shall be deemed to be needed or taken for a public use or a public benefit.

    (d)    Land or property owned by the federal government, the State, or a local government, or an agency of the federal government, the State, or a local government, may not be acquired by the county by exercise of the power of eminent domain without the prior consent of the government or agency that owns the land or property.