Local Government Code § 374.016

Sec. 374.016. SLUM CLEARANCE. (a) In this section, "slum clearance and redevelopment section" means any substantial contiguous part of an urban renewal area that a municipality proposes to acquire and clear of all buildings, structures, and other improvements for redevelopment and reuse in accordance with the urban renewal plan. (b) If an urban renewal project includes a slum clearance and redevelopment section that the municipality proposes to use for other than public use, the municipality may not use condemnation to acquire that property unless the municipality determines by resolution that the rehabilitation of that property without clearance would be impractical and ineffective. That determination must be based on a finding that at least 50 percent of the structures in the section are dilapidated beyond the point of feasible rehabilitation or are otherwise unfit for rehabilitation, and that there exist other blighting characteristics, such as overcrowding of structures on the land, mixed uses of structures, deficient streets, or deficiencies in public utilities or recreational and community facilities. A municipality may exercise eminent domain authority as provided by Chapter 21, Property Code. Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 149, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.