The Commission may (1) lease for a term not exceeding 40 years
and renew the lease from time to time for additional terms not
exceeding ten years each, to any responsible individual, partnership or
corporation, any portion of the lands within the metropolitan district,
acquired for park purposes under any of the provisions of this article.
The Commission may not enter into any lease agreement in excess of 20
years duration without the prior approval of the provisions of the
lease by legislative enactment of the county in which the lease
property is located in whole or in part. Further, all such lease
agreements shall contain provisions for reversion without cost to the
Commission of the property and its improvements regardless of whether
the improvements were added to the property by the lessee during the
term of the lease or any extension of the lease; and/or (2) grant
privileges, permits, and/or concessions, and/or enter into contracts
relating to the same, with any responsible individual, partnership, or
corporation, to engage in any business or enterprise on lands acquired
for park purposes within the metropolitan district under any of the
provisions of this article; all on terms and conditions the Commission
deems advantageous to the development of the park system as a part of
the plan for the physical development of the metropolitan district and
the plan of the Maryland-Washington Regional District within the
metropolitan district. The purpose for which the property is leased,
and/or the privileges, permits, and/or concessions are granted, may not
be inconsistent with the use of the property for park purposes. Any
lease and/or contract executed under the authority of this section
shall contain a condition, stating specifically the purposes for which
the property is leased, and/or the privilege, permit, or concession is
granted. All agreements entered into by the Commission pursuant to this
article shall contain provisions forbidding the assignment of the
agreement without the consent of the Commission. This article may not
be interpreted as a limitation on the Commission's authority to
require in any agreement more restrictive provisions deemed by the
Commission to be in the public interest. The provisions of this article
may not be construed to validate any lease or agreement executed prior
to July 1, 1972, which provides for an initial term beyond 20 years
duration, nor to permit the renegotiation of any lease or agreement
executed prior to July 1, 1972, for the purpose of extending the
initial term of the lease beyond 20 years duration. This limitation
does not apply to any lease with a nonprofit, service-oriented
organization.
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