The power of eminent domain shall not be exercised by a limited dividend housing corporation except with specific authorization of such action by the director and for such purpose the director shall specify that the acquisition of the property and the construction of the particular housing accommodations in connection with which the power is required has been determined by the director, after public hearing, to be in the public interest and necessary for the public use. The hearing shall be held at a time and place appointed by the director and notice of such hearing shall be given by the corporation by one publication in a newspaper, designated by the director, published or circulated in the city or county wherein the property is located at least ten days prior to such hearing. The owner, as shown upon the county auditor's current tax duplicate, of such property as is proposed to be acquired shall also be notified at least ten days prior to such hearing by registered mail addressed to the last known address of such owner.
The director may expressly except from its certificate hereunder, as unnecessary to the plan, any part of the property proposed to be acquired. The approval by the director of the project shall be deemed in any proceeding to acquire land by appropriation as sufficient evidence of the necessity of the appropriation and a duly certified copy of the certificate of the director shall be conclusive evidence as to the matters lawfully certified therein in any appropriation proceeding.
S.C. Code § 31-1-460