§ 489-eee. Applications for certificates of eligibility. 1. Applications for a certificate of eligibility pursuant to this title shall be submitted for preliminary approval to the office for economic development commencing immediately after the effective date of a local law enacted pursuant to this title and continuing until the earlier of the thirty-first day of January, nineteen hundred eighty-six or the last day before the date on which applications may be filed in accordance with a local law enacted pursuant to section four hundred eighty-nine-bbbb of this chapter, on such form or forms as shall be prescribed by the board. In addition to any other information required by the board, the application shall include plans for reconstruction or construction that have been certified by a professional engineer or an architect of the applicant's choice and cost estimates or bids for the proposed reconstruction or construction. Upon a finding by such office that the application satisfies the requirements of reconstruction or construction as defined in this title, the application shall be presented to the board for evaluation and written notice thereof shall be given to the community board of the district in which the application site is located. 2. (a) In the case of an application for construction or reconstruction of an industrial structure or a commercial structure located in an area designated as of right, the board shall issue a certificate of eligibility upon determining that the application satisfies the requirements of construction or reconstruction as defined in this title, that the applicant has obtained plans for construction or reconstruction certified by a professional engineer or architect, and that the applicant has otherwise complied with the provisions of this title and other applicable provisions of law.

(b) In the case of an application for construction or reconstruction of a commercial structure not located in an as of right area, or involving a restricted commercial use, the board shall issue a certificate of eligibility upon making the determination specified in paragraph (a) of this subdivision and upon making the further determination that the granting of a tax exemption for the construction or reconstruction of such a structure in the proposed location is in the public interest. In making such determination, the board shall make findings that there is a need in the area for the services the enterprise will provide, that the enterprise will generate or retain employment in the area, and that a tax incentive is required to attract construction or reconstruction of such a structure to the area. In addition, the board shall consider the economic impact such commercial structure will have in the area.

(c) In the case of an application for construction or reconstruction of a commercial structure not located in an as of right area, or involving a restricted commercial use, the board may make a further determination that special circumstances warrant designating the proposed construction or reconstruction as "specially needed". In making such determination, the board shall make findings that the commercial services to be provided will have an especially positive impact on the area's or the city's economy and that the applicant has demonstrated that the project cannot go forward without the greater exemption granted by such designation. 3. Any meeting of the board at which an application for a certificate of eligibility is to be considered shall be open to the public, and notice of such meeting shall be given at least two weeks prior thereto by publication in a newspaper of general circulation within the city. 4. The burden of proof shall be on the applicant to show by clear and convincing evidence that the requirements for granting a tax exemption pursuant to this title have been satisfied, and the board shall have the authority to require that statements made in consideration of the application be taken under oath. 5. After the issuance of a certificate of eligibility the applicant shall apply to the city tax commission, during the period provided by law for filing applications for corrections of assessed valuations, for a tax exemption as provided for in section four hundred eighty-nine-ddd of this title. The application shall be accompanied by a copy of the certificate of eligibility.