The Department of Urban Renewal as agent of the municipality, shall have and exercise the following powers with respect to the development, redevelopment and replanning of conservation areas:
(a) Designate Conservation Areas and approve all conservation plans developed for conservation areas in the manner prescribed herein.(b) Approve each use of eminent domain for the acquisition of real property for the purposes of this Act, provided that every property owner affected by condemnation proceedings shall have the opportunity to be heard by the Department before such proceedings may be approved.(c) Act as the agent of the municipality in the acquisition, management, and disposition of property acquired pursuant to this Act as hereinafter provided.(d) Act as agent of the governing body, at the discretion of the governing body, in the enforcement and the administration of any ordinances relating to the conservation of urban residential areas and the prevention of slums enacted by the governing body pursuant to the laws of this State.