Sec. 22. (a) In connection with the planning and undertaking of an urban renewal plan or urban renewal project, the commission and all public and private officers, agencies, and bodies have all the rights, powers, privileges, duties, and immunities that they have with respect to a redevelopment plan or redevelopment project, as if all of the provisions of this chapter applicable to a redevelopment plan or redevelopment project were applicable to an urban renewal plan or urban renewal project.

(b) In addition to its other powers, the commission may also:

(1) make plans for carrying out a program of voluntary repair and rehabilitation of buildings and improvements;

(2) make plans for the enforcement of laws and regulations relating to the use of land and the use and occupancy of buildings and improvements, and to the compulsory repair, rehabilitation, demolition, or removal of buildings and improvements;

(3) make preliminary plans outlining urban renewal activities for neighborhoods to embrace two (2) or more urban renewal areas;

(4) make preliminary surveys, including environmental assessments, to determine if the undertaking and carrying out of an urban renewal project are feasible;

(5) make plans for the relocation of persons (including families, business concerns, and others) displaced by an urban renewal project;

(6) make relocation payments in accordance with eligibility requirements of IC 8-23-17 or the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisitions Policy Act of 1970 (42 U.S.C. 4621 et seq.) to or with respect to persons (including families, business concerns, and others) displaced by an urban renewal project, for moving expenses and losses of property for which reimbursement or compensation is not otherwise made, including the making of payments financed by the federal government; and

(7) develop, test, and report methods and techniques, and carry out demonstrations and other activities, for the prevention and the elimination of the conditions described in IC 36-7-1-3 in urban areas.

As added by Acts 1982, P.L.77, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.14-1991, SEC.21; P.L.185-2005, SEC.36; P.L.221-2007, SEC.45.