RFP – District Rezoning Study/Project – Underhill, VT
Town of Underhill, VT
RFP – District Rezoning Study/Project
Project Description
The Town of Underhill Planning Commission is seeking a professional consultant to assist with a District Rezoning Study/Project, which will implement the goals of the Underhill Town Plan by evaluating the Underhill Flats Village Center, Water Conservation, and outlier Soil & Water Conservation zoning districts to ensure that they reflect the vision for the Town’s evolution. See the attached Work Plan for details.
Submission Requirements (max. 4 pages)
Please provide one paper copy and an electronic copy of the following items:
- A short letter of interest.
- Statement on consultant qualifications. If more than one person is involved, describe the working relationship.
- Summaries of relevant projects, including the names and telephone numbers of references.
Submissions are due at the address above, or delivered to the Underhill Planning Commission, c/o Zoning & Planning Administrator Kari Papelbon, by February 10, 2012.
Selection Process
Consultant qualifications will be reviewed and ranked by the Planning Commission. A short-list of consultants will be selected for interviews. Those selected for interviews will be requested to prepare detailed proposals in response to the work plan.
Selection Criteria
Collaboration amongst a professional planner (“Consultant”), zoning and planning staff (“Staff”), and the Planning Commission is desired. Qualifications required for selection include:
- Experience with redistricting projects.
- Ability to work with public groups.
- Knowledge of local and state regulations, ordinances, bylaws, and conditions.
- Understanding of local historical settlement patterns.
- Proven ability to work with committees and conduct public workshops.
- Availability to begin work immediately.
Schedule
- Qualifications due February 10, 2012.
- Interviews on February 15, 2012 and/or March 7, 2012.
- Consultant selection by April 4, 2012.
- Work to begin by April 18, 2012.
- Complete project by March 31, 2013.
Funding
A total of $8,153 from the State of Vermont Municipal Planning Grant Program and $77 matching funds from the Town of Underhill is available for consultant services (Total Project Funds: $8,230).
Information
Call Zoning & Planning Administrator Kari Papelbon at 802-899-4434, x106 or e-mail at underhillzoning@comcast.net.
The project is divided into the following six tasks:
1. Document Review – The Consultant will review Underhill’s 2010 Town Plan, 2011 Unified Land Use and Development Regulations, and existing zoning maps for familiarization with zoning districts, boundaries, and requirements. Staff will provide copies of the materials and supplemental information as needed.
2. Supporting Analyses – With staff support, the Consultant will review Grand List and tax map data to gather information on lot sizes, uses, and nonconformities. GIS parcel maps will be reviewed for information about existing physical constraints and natural resources. Historic maps and orthophotos, along with field visits, will be used to identify settlement patterns, existing frontage, and setback dimensions. All information gathered at this stage will be compiled into a technical memo.
3. Draft Zoning Map Amendments (District Boundaries) – In coordination with staff and the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission where applicable, the Consultant will prepare draft overlays for proposed district boundaries (e.g., sketch overlays) for Planning Commission review.
4. Draft Bylaw Amendments (District Tables) – The Consultant will draft related bylaw amendments, including but not limited to amended district tables and use definitions, for each district. The Planning Commission will review these draft bylaw amendments concurrently with the draft zoning map amendments in Task #3.
5. Project Coordination – Staff will provide support to the Consultant for coordinating the project tasks and deliverables. The Consultant will attend up to six Planning Commission work sessions to review draft overlays and bylaw amendments, and to assist the Planning Commission in defining district boundaries.
6. Public Outreach – Three public forums, one forum per zoning district project, will be facilitated by the Consultant. The proposed new zoning map and bylaw amendments will be presented for public and Planning Commission consideration. Staff will provide support for each forum.
