RFP Zoning Code Update – City of Pickerington

CITY OF PICKERINGTON, OHIO
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
ZONING CODE UPDATE

ISSUED: January 3, 2024
PROPOSAL DEADLINE DATE: January 19, 2024

Contact Information:
Dave Gulden, AICP
Development Director
614-837-3974
dgulden@pickerington.net

I. Purpose & Background

The City of Pickerington, a growing city located within northwestern Fairfield County with a population of approximately 25,000, is soliciting Request for Proposals (RFPs) from a qualified zoning consultant or team (herein referred to as “consultant”) to lead the City in the preparation and adoption of an update to the City’s planning and zoning code. The City seeks a consultant that will craft code updates that are in alignment with the City’s Comprehensive Plan especially for the City’s Olde Village.

The existing code may be found here: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/pickerington/latest/pickerington_oh/0-0-0-55422

II. Scope of Work

Analyze and determine the strengths and weaknesses of the existing zoning code, and the extent to which the current zoning code acts as a barrier to efficient development. Update the City’s zoning code and development process. The code update should incorporate best practices for a Central Ohio suburb that has grown relatively fast and remains on a growth trajectory.

The bullet points below outline the minimum components which should be included in the scope of work. City staff will finalize the scope of work with the selected consultant prior to contract authorization.

• Examine and evaluate the current code, including processes and design standards.
• Encourage a streamlined redevelopment process for Pickerington’s Olde Village.
• Correct conflicts, technical errors, and outdated or irrelevant information.
• Focus on quality of life issues for neighborhoods to aid future code enforcement.
• Enhance usability with tables, reference images, cross-reference links, etc.

Project Timing:
It is critical that this project be as efficient as possible while being appropriately inclusive and thorough. A requirement of this effort is to have the code update completed six to nine (6 to 9) months from contract execution, and the code adopted no later than twelve (12) months from contract execution. City Staff will be responsive and partner with the Consultant throughout the drafting process and interaction with the City’s boards, committees, and Council.

III. Qualifications

Please include the following information:

 1. Project Team Composition. Provide a description of the team that will be assigned to the project including resumes for all team members. Identify the capacity in which team members will be used and identify the Project Manager, who will be the main point of contact during the code update process. Any work intending to be subcontracted must be disclosed, including the name of the subcontractor and specific tasks that will be subcontracted.

The City expects the principal staff person(s) listed will not change and will follow through the entirety of the project.

 2. Firm Background. Provide a brief description of the firm including the range of professional services, office locations and staff size. This shall apply to all sub-consultants.

 3. Firm Experience. Outline the experience of the firm and other credentials that illustrate qualifications to undertake this project. Provide at least three examples of zoning code updates that your firm has completed within the last five years. Codes may be referenced electronically. Codes should be based on similar communities. Also, list recent projects on which the principal staff have worked and describe their responsibilities.

 4. References. Provide a minimum of three references for services comparable to this project. Include a contact person, title, address, telephone number and email address.

IV. Submission Criteria

For evaluation purposes, each proposal submission shall include the following items in the order listed below.
 1. Letter of Interest. This single page letter will summarize, in a brief and concise manner, the consultant’s understanding of the scope of work.

 2. Qualifications as stated in Section III.

 3. Approach to the Project. Provide a narrative describing the firm’s approach to accomplishing the project.

 4. Cost and Compensation. Provide a detailed outline of cost for completing the scope of work. This should include material costs and a not to exceed figure as well as all other costs that may be incurred for the delivery of services requested. The City has budgeted up to $75,000 for consultant services and project expenses.

 5. Please submit three (3) hard copies of the proposal and one (1) electronic copy.

V. Selection Process

The City of Pickerington will select a consultant based upon a review of the merits of the proposals received. After evaluating the proposals, the City may contact consultants for follow-up interviews.

Upon selection, the consultant will be contacted to finalize a contract, which will include fee structure, project time frame and any additional scope of services that may result from an interview.

The City reserves the right to reject any and all proposals.

Consultants will not be reimbursed for any cost associated with the preparation of the RFP.

All material submitted regarding this RFP is public property and is subject to Ohio Public Record laws. All RFPs submitted will become the property of the City of Pickerington.