The legislative body of the community must designate by resolution or ordinance one or more areas within the community as a redevelopment area or areas. (Whenever the word “resolution” is used, it means “resolution or ordinance.”) Each resolution shall include a description of the boundaries of the area or areas designated as a redevelopment area. Before passing a resolution, the legislative body or the committee thereof, to which the proposed resolution has been referred, shall give notice of the date, time, place, and purpose of a public hearing or hearings with reference to the resolution at which the recommendations of the planning commission developed in accordance with the provisions of § 45-32-3 shall be considered. The notice shall be published not less than once a week for three (3) successive weeks prior to the hearing in a newspaper of general circulation published in the community, or if no newspaper is published in the community, then in a newspaper of general circulation in the community. At the public hearing all interested persons or agencies shall have an opportunity to be heard and to submit communications in writing. The public hearing required by this section may be held jointly with the hearing upon a redevelopment plan for a project area, as provided in § 45-32-11, if the legislative body so directs. Any person, group, association, or corporation may, in writing, petition the legislative body to designate one or more areas within the community as redevelopment areas, and may submit, with their petition, plans, showing the proposed redevelopment of those areas or any part or parts of the areas.