(c) Any municipality or community development agency may apply to the federal government for one or more urban development action grants pursuant to Section 119 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1977, as from time to time amended, and to undertake any activity authorized by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under said section, providing the legislative body approves the undertaking of the activities contemplated under such application or applications prior to execution of a contract or contracts for such financial assistance. Such application or applications may be incorporated as part of the community development plan prepared under sections 8-169c and 8-169d or may be applied for separately if the legislative body finds that the activities proposed to be undertaken are consistent with the municipality's community development program.
(d) The provisions of sections 8-169c and 8-169d shall not be applicable to any preliminary applications required by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development by regulation or order promulgated under the provisions of Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as from time to time amended.