1. When it is desired that any real property in a development area be acquired by condemnation, there shall be presented to the supervising agency by the redevelopment corporation a verified petition requesting the issuance of a certificate of approval of condemnation of such real property which shall contain, among other things:

1. (a) A metes and bounds description of the real property involved and a statement of the estate, interest, privileges, franchise or right therein or appurtenant thereto to be condemned;
2. (b) Proof that such real property is within the development area;
3. (c) Proof that the redevelopment corporation has acquired the fee title, or valid and enforceable options or contracts for the acquisition of such title to or in real property satisfying the minimum condemnation requirement; and
4. (d) Proof that certificates of approval of the development plan required by section two hundred three of this article have been issued. The supervising agency shall determine within a reasonable time thereafter the truth or sufficiency of the statements and proof contained in such petition, and, if such determination shall be in the affirmative, the supervising agency shall issue to the petitioner a certificate of approval of condemnation. Such certificate shall contain a description of the real property proposed to be condemned, the facts so determined with respect thereto, and a statement that the real property proposed to be condemned is required for a public use and that its acquisition for such use is necessary. A certified copy of such certificate of approval of condemnation shall be conclusive evidence of the facts stated therein in any condemnation proceeding to acquire the real property, or any part thereof, described in such certificate. No condemnation proceeding to acquire real property in a development area, whether by a redevelopment corporation or by a city for a redevelopment corporation, shall be commenced until such a certificate of approval of condemnation shall have been issued.

4. The following provisions shall apply to any proceedings for the assessment of compensation and damages for real property in a development area taken or to be taken by condemnation by or for a redevelopment corporation:

1. (a) At any stage of the proceeding, the court may require such prior notice to be given of an intention to introduce evidence as to the sale, option, leasing or tenancy of real property other than the real property directly involved in the proceeding and of particulars relating thereto as it may deem necessary to prevent surprise.
2. (b) The deposition of any person, whether or not a party, may be taken in the manner provided by article thirty-one of the civil practice law and rules, and the provisions of this section. Such deposition may be taken upon any question or issue in the proceeding, including the facts as to any sale, option, lease or tenancy admissible in evidence pursuant to subdivision four hereof. The deposition may be taken at the instance of the redevelopment corporation, the city, or of any owner, or at the direction of the court, at any time during the pendency of the action or proceeding. At least five days' notice, or if service is through the mails, at least eight days' notice, shall be given of the taking of the testimony, if on the part of an owner, to the redevelopment corporation or city, as the case may be, and to all other owners who have appeared in the proceeding; if by the redevelopment corporation or a city, to all owners who have appeared in the proceeding.
3. (c) For the purposes of this article, the award of compensation shall not be increased by reason of any increase in the value of the real property caused by the assembly, clearance or reconstruction, or proposed assembly, clearance or reconstruction for the purposes of this article of the real property in the development area. No allowance shall be made for improvements begun on real property after notice to the owner of such property of the institution of the proceedings to condemn such property.
4. (d) Evidence shall be admissible bearing upon the insanitary, unsafe or substandard condition of the premises, or the illegal use thereof, or the enhancement of rentals from such illegal use, and such evidence may be considered in fixing the compensation to be paid, notwithstanding that no steps to remedy or abate such conditions have been taken by the department or officers having jurisdiction. If a violation order is on file against the premises in any such department, it shall constitute prima facie evidence of the existence of the condition specified in such order.
5. (e) If any of the real property in the development area which is to be acquired by condemnation has, prior to such acquisition, been devoted to another public use, it may nevertheless be acquired provided that no real property belonging to the city or to any other governmental body, or agency or instrumentality thereof, corporate or otherwise, may be acquired without its consent. No real property belonging to a public utility corporation may be acquired without the approval of the commission or other officer or tribunal having regulatory power over such corporation.
6. (f) Upon the trial, evidence of the price and other terms upon a sale or assignment or of a contract for the sale or assignment of a mortgage, award, proposed award, transfer of a tax lien or lien of a judgment relating to property taken, shall be relevant, material and competent, upon the issue of value or damage and shall be admissible on direct examination.
7. (g) Upon the trial a statement, affidavit, deposition, report, transcript of testimony in an action or proceeding, or appraisal made or given by any owner or prior owner of the premises taken, or by any person on his behalf, to any court, governmental bureau, department or agency respecting the value of the real property for tax purposes, shall be relevant, material and competent upon the issue of value of damage and shall be admissible on direct examination.
8. (h) The term "owner," as used in this section two hundred sixteen, shall include a person having an estate, interest or easement in the real property to be acquired or a lien, charge or encumbrance thereon.