12. The three additional zones, authorized pursuant to P.L.2001, c.347 (C. 52:27H-66.2 et al.), shall be designated within 90 days of the date of the submittal of an application and zone development plan, provided that the joint zone shall be designated within 90 days of the date of the submittal of a joint application and a joint zone development plan by the adjoining municipalities. The authority shall accept applications within 90 days of the effective date of P.L.2001, c.347 (C. 52:27H-66.2 et al.). Notwithstanding the provisions of P.L.1983, c.303 (C. 52:27H-60 et seq.) to the contrary, the additional enterprise zones to be designated by the authority pursuant to the criteria for priority consideration set forth in this section shall be entitled to an exemption to the extent of 50% of the tax imposed under the “Sales and Use Tax Act,” P.L.1966, c.30 (C. 54:32B-1 et seq.). The following criteria shall be utilized in according priority consideration for designation of the three additional enterprise zones authorized pursuant to P.L.2001, c.347 (C. 52:27H-66.2 et al.):

a. (1) The joint zone shall be located in four municipalities which are adjacent to each other, one of which has a population greater than 5,000 and less than 5,500 according to the latest federal decennial census, one of which has a population greater than 4,500 and less than 5,000 according to the latest federal decennial census, one of which has a population greater than 3,000 and less than 4,000 according to the latest federal decennial census, and one of which has a population greater than 400 and less than 500 according to the latest federal decennial census; and

(2) The joint zone shall be located in a county of the sixth class according to the latest federal decennial census.

b. (1) The second zone shall be located in a municipality with a population greater than 60,000 and less than 65,000 according to the latest federal decennial census in a county of the first class with a population greater than 600,000 and less than 620,000 according to the latest federal decennial census; and

(2) The second zone shall be located in a municipality which is contiguous to at least one qualifying municipality which has a designated enterprise zone and which is in a county of the first class.

c. The third zone shall be located within a municipality that

(1) borders on another municipality having an urban enterprise zone;

(2) has a population greater than 20,000 and a population density greater than 7,500 persons per square mile according to the latest federal decennial census; and

(3) has a per capita retail sales rate that is less than $2,500, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of the Census, 1992 Census of Retail.

L.2001,c.347,s.12; amended 2002, c.68.