A. Whether there is a public need for the facility;

B. The impact of the facility on the surrounding uses and environment, the city, and the region.

C. Whether the design of the facility or the operation of the facility can be conditioned, or the impacts otherwise mitigated, to make the facility compatible with the affected area and the environment.

D. Whether a package of incentives can be developed that would make siting the facility within the community more acceptable.

E. Whether the factors that make the facility difficult to site can be modified to increase the range of available sites or to minimize impacts on affected areas and the environment.

F. Whether the proposed essential public facility is consistent with the Bellingham comprehensive plan.

G. If a variance is requested, the proposal shall also comply with the variance criteria.

H. Essential public facilities shall comply with any applicable state siting and permitting requirements (e.g., hazardous waste facilities).

I. A financial analysis of the proposed facility’s impact on the city of Bellingham’s budget shall be completed by the organization proposing the essential public facility. If the study shows that locating a facility in a community would result in a disproportionate financial burden on the city, an agreement to mitigate the adverse financial impact shall be required. [Ord. 2006-07-068].