Request for Proposals
for a Complete Zoning Ordinance Update
Crafton Borough of Allegheny County, PA

View this RFP as a PDF here

Submission Deadline: Friday, August 16, 2019 at 4:00 PM.

Crafton Borough is seeking proposals from qualified consultants to provide the professional planning services necessary to complete a full overhaul and re-write of the Borough's zoning ordinance in response to the 2017 Comprehensive Plan, Crafton-Ingram Thrive. Crafton's last significant update to the zoning ordinance took place in 2004, and many regulations and permitted uses especially in the C-1 and C-2 districts are outdated and do not encourage the highest and best use of the Borough's walkable downtown properties.

I. Addressing the New Comprehensive Plan

Crafton-Ingram Thrive relied heavily on community feedback to inform the plan's main priorities, which include commercial redevelopment as well as maintaining connectivity and walkability. Crafton Borough must update its zoning ordinance to position itself for smart redevelopment that will take advantage of the West Busway station in the heart of the Downtown Business District ("downtown Crafton"), as well as allow modern mixed-use development in key areas that remain underutilized.

Downtown Crafton historically possessed a strong local business presence; many longtime residents had relatives who owned a corner store, restaurant, or weekend gathering place prior to the overall economic decline that affected the Pittsburgh region. Recently the Borough has experienced renewed interest in "bringing back Main Street," as a handful of interactive businesses have opened downtown and changing demographics have encouraged families seeking a walkable community to move in and invest in fixing up Crafton's trademark old Victorians. The Borough's goal is to keep this momentum going by being proactive about pursuing a modern zoning ordinance that preserves everything good about "old" Crafton while ensuring the Borough will have a bright future.

II. Key Strategic Interests

A successful zoning ordinance update will provide solutions for the following issues:

1. Appropriate Uses in Appropriate Districts
   Crafton's C-2 district, formerly a walkable, interactive downtown, has lost some of its original character due to an "everything and the kitchen sink" treatment of permitted uses in recent years. The new zoning ordinance should encourage interactive uses such as coffee shops and cafes, restaurants, small retail, and newer concepts such as creative spaces and microbreweries or brewpubs.
2. Transit-Oriented Development
   The Borough has been working with local stakeholders such as CONNECT and the Port Authority to explore opportunities for commercial development that would take advantage of the West Busway station located in the heart of downtown Crafton.
3. Historic Character and Non-Conforming Lots and Buildings
   Much of Crafton's development took place before certain requirements regarding setbacks, lot size, and other common land use regulations were in place. Other structures may need creative solutions to achieve accessibility and safety requirements. The CONNECT TOD Working Group has recommended exploring form-based code and the International Existing Building Code in order to preserve the historic character of downtown Crafton. In residential districts, the new zoning ordinance should consider realistic requirements and limitations for older lots and structures.

III. Scope of Services

The selected consulting firm will work closely with the Borough staff and Crafton Planning Commission throughout the project. The consultant may also be asked to participate in public hearings or present progress updates to the Borough Council from time to time in service of the overall project goals. In the process of addressing the aforementioned key strategic interests, the consultant will:

• Adhere to all requirements of the Municipal Planning Code.
• Meet/conference call regularly with Borough staff for project review and status updates.
• Attend Crafton Planning Commission meetings as needed (Planning Commission meets monthly).
• Prepare all necessary advertisements and correspondence pursuant to the MPC, State Borough Code and Pennsylvania Sunshine Act, or as may be required by Allegheny County agencies.
• Determine the level of community resources and administrative capacity of the Borough in regards to zoning and land use enforcement and develop regulations respective of same.
• Be familiar with creative solutions to zoning and land use challenges, such as overlay districts and form-based code, and recommend them to the Borough as appropriate.
• Design performance standards to encourage the desired forms of use and development in each district; avoid requirements that are prohibitive in realistic use of the area.
• Assist Borough staff in distributing information to the community about the project and/or final product as the need arises (i.e. graphic representations of timelines, permitted use changes, new building size/setback requirements).
• Eliminate contradictions and redundancy; identify areas in the existing ordinance that lack clarity and create new zoning codes that are straightforward and avoid confusion.
• Identify existing uses that may be phased out in the new zoning ordinance and develop appropriate processes for how the Borough handles the transfer and permitting of these uses for future occupants.
• Design a project completion schedule that balances a detail-oriented process with the Borough's need to position itself for mixed-use development in the immediate future.

Final deliverables will be submitted in accordance with an approved Project Completion Schedule and include a complete revised zoning ordinance and map ready for enactment in both paper and electronic form. The specific form and number of deliverables shall be subject to further discussion with the selected consultant.

IV. Submission Requirements

Consultants shall submit three (3) hard copies and two (2) electronic copies of the proposal to the Crafton Borough Administrative Office, addressed as follows:

Crafton Borough
ATTN: Rachel J. Susko
100 Stotz Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15205

Submissions must be received by 4:00 PM, local prevailing time, on August 16, 2019.

Submissions must be mailed or hand-delivered. Faxed or emailed proposals will not be accepted.

At minimum, all submissions should include the following:

1. Letter of Transmittal
   Include the consulting firm's name, mailing address, and nearest office location; identification of the contact person for the consulting firm, including all contact information; and a statement that the submission is in response to the Crafton Borough Complete Zoning Ordinance Update RFP.
2. Consulting Firm's Experience
   1. A brief history/bio on the consulting firm (maximum 2 pages in length);
   2. A narrative describing why the firm's skill set is appropriate for meeting the project's key strategic goals and how the firm will approach the project;
   3. Examples of recent work similar in nature;
   4. Any consultant suggestions for how the scope of work could be enhanced, including details of same;
   5. Minimum of three (3) references including contact information for similar work, with preference for zoning ordinance re-write projects or other studies related to Main Street/TOD and sustainable redevelopment. Consulting firm should specify the roles held/work performed by key personnel included in the proposal.
3. Key Personnel
   Detail individual work experience, resumes, and anticipated roles of all personnel assigned to this project. If the consulting firm expects to retain sub-consultants for this project, the aforementioned information for sub-consultants should be provided in an appendix at the end of the proposal.
4. Timeline / Project Completion Schedule
   Include a proposed project completion schedule that provides a timeline of anticipated dates of completion for each step of the planning process.
5. Technical Proposal
   Detail a proposed work plan in a format acceptable for use as the final Scope of Services in the contract between Crafton Borough and the consultant.
6. Estimate of Cost
   Detail the estimated cost of each of the tasks defined in the proposed scope of services, including number of hours; hourly rates for principals, project managers, and other personnel assigned to each task; and any related expenses, such as travel. If Section 2 (Work Experience) included suggested additions to the scope of services, detail the estimated cost of these as well.

All proposals shall remain effective subject to the Borough's review and approval for a period of ninety (90) days from the submission deadline. Proposals will be handled confidentially during the pre-award process.

All documents/information submitted in response to this solicitation may be available to the general public pursuant to Right-to-Know laws. The Borough will not be responsible for any costs associated with the oral or written presentation of proposals. The Borough reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, with or without cause, and waive any irregularities or informalities in the proposals. The Borough further reserves the right to make such investigations as it deems necessary as to the qualifications of any and all firms submitting proposals. The Borough reserves the right to re-solicit proposals.

V. Selection Criteria and Procedures

Proposals will be evaluated and a consultant will be selected based on the following criteria listed in order of importance:

• The relevant qualifications, skills, and experience of the consulting firm in performing work requested herein and working with communities similar in size and character to the Borough.
• The qualifications, skills, and experience of personnel to be assigned by the consulting firm to the project.
• The consulting firm's proposed scope of work and approach, methods, etc. to carry out the project. Proposals will be competitively judged on the quantity, quality, and value of the proposed work approach and final product.
• The ability of the consultant to meet the expected project completion schedule.

Following a review period, a list of consultants will be asked to schedule and make presentations to a consultant selection committee. The Borough reserves the right to interview any or all of the applicants submitting a proposal.

It is anticipated that consultant selection will occur within 90 days of the RFP deadline. This timeline may change subject to any opportunities for the Borough to secure grant funding to assist with this project.

VI. Requests for Information

Requests for information should be submitted in writing to:

Rachel J. Susko
Borough Manager
100 Stotz Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15205
Email: rsusko@craftonborough.com

Email submissions of requests for information are preferred.

No verbal instructions or verbal information to interested parties will be binding on the Borough. The written specifications will be considered clear and complete unless written attention is called to any apparent discrepancies or incompleteness before the deadline for submission of proposals. Should any alterations to the specifications be made, written addenda will be mailed and/or emailed to all interested parties. These addenda shall be considered to be part of these specifications.