1. Invitation and Summary

The Town of Nolensville, Tennessee is seeking a response to this Request for Proposals from qualified firm(s) interested in providing professional services needed to assist Town staff with the development and drafting of a new Zoning Ordinance.

Located in middle Tennessee, Nolensville has an estimated population of 15,000. Like many communities within the sphere of the explosively growing Nashville, Nolensville is experiencing tremendous growth and development pressure. It is the desire of the town residents to have an active core with a variety of shopping, restaurants and professional services developed in a cohesive walkable fashion, while maintaining low density suburban residential on the periphery of the Town.

The Town has a skeletal Comprehensive Plan, but it does include a Future Land Use Map and Major Transportation Plan. The town is in the process of creating definitions for each category of the Future Land Use Plan area designations to further focus the long-range goals of the community. Through this process the Town is interviewing stakeholders and receiving community-wide feedback. The Town expects to complete this process and refine the Comprehensive Plan by April 2021.The Town is in the process of creating and adopting a “Village Zone” for it’s vital Historic District and surrounding areas. As the next step toward creating the best community for the residents of Nolensville the Board of Commissioners is seeking a new zoning ordinance that takes its lead from the Village Zone. The current ordinance has been in place since its original adoption with minor updates and amendments. The Town seeks a more user friendly, well organized document that will guide the future of Nolensville keeping denser development at the core and creating opportunities for a pastoral residential setting at the fringes. Nolensville is a ‘corridor’ town and faces the challenge of traffic congestion along the major arterial which runs through the center of the Town. However, the Town is well connected through an extensive trail system and seeks to create further connectivity to alleviate congestion on the major arterial.

2. Request for Proposal Summary

Nolensville seeks to retain a professional planning consulting firm that has substantial relevant experience in developing and drafting land development regulations. The new Zoning Ordinance is intended to respond to the feedback received from the community, create a more cohesive, organized, user friendly document and foster development that creates a strong sense of character and identity for the Town.

It is the goal of the Town of Nolensville to complete the update in partnership with a consulting firm through a multi phased process.

Phase 1: Conduct community wide outreach and examine best practices and procedures that meet the Towns goals.

Phase 2: Develop a framework and create a draft ordinance that meet the Town’s goals through an advisory team.

Scope of work in Phase 2:

• Work closely with Town staff to develop a strategy and plan for the delivery of a new zoning ordinance
• Create an ordinance that is user friendly and assist in the understanding of the code with visual representations, charts, tables, matrices, sketches, etc.
• Update terminology and definitions that are antiquated or add new clarifying definitions.
• Identify new uses than may need to be placed in the ordinance (i.e., micro-brewery)
• Review current zoning districts and add, remove, or clarify to enhance the “Town and Country” feel of Nolensville.
• Update process to remove redundancy and require complete information
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws.
• Format regulations in similar manner to proposed Village update available on Towns website www.Nolensvilletn.gov/departments/planning/studies_adopted_plans_policies.php Potential Zoning Ordinance Updates – Village Form Base Code

Phase 3: Implement the new ordinance by providing targeted education and outreach and holding public hearings for consideration and adoption.

The Town anticipates the consultant’s scope of work to primarily be within Phase 2 and to provide a more ancillary support and advisement in Phase’s 1 and 3. Public engagement will be managed by the Nolensville Planning Department.

3. Submission

Prospective respondents shall submit to:

Town of Nolensville
ATTN: Planning Department
7218 Nolensville Road
Nolensville, TN 37135

Proposals must be enclosed in a sealed opaque envelope marked “Nolensville Planning Commission RFP for Zoning Ordinance Update”.

Submissions must be received by March 10, 2021 by 3 p.m. Proposal received after that time will not be considered and will be returned un-opened.

4. Estimated Project Schedule

Issue RFP January 15, 2021

Written Questions Deadline February 5, 2021

Written Answers provided – February 19, 2021

Optional Pre-submittal video conference’s February 22-26, 2021*

Submission Due March 10, 2021

RFP submittal Opening March 12, 2021

Selection Process – Firms should expect follow up interviews. The Town will negotiate with firms to form a contract for scope of services.

Estimated Award Contract March 31, 2021

Project Timeline – 18 months to complete the new Zoning Ordinance.

*Optional video conference provides an opportunity to speak with the Planning Director to discuss the project and further clarify any written questions. To set up a meeting send an email to dtomlin@nolensvilletn.gov.

5. Submittal Content

One signed original, one copy and one electronic PDF copy which contain:

A cover sheet with the name of the consultant and the name, email address and phone number of the person who may be contacted to answer questions.

List of Firm Capabilities: Briefly describe three (3) projects you team has completed on time and within budget that have similar attributes to this project. List the team members and sub consultants that will be handling this project, including the Project Manager. List their individual experience, current location, and role in the three (3) projects listed or other relevant experience. Provide reference contacts for listed projects.

Project approach narrative that defines the methods and means by which the firm will perform services, including a timeline and project schedule with key milestones identified. Include any possible value-added items that your firm can perform.

6. Selection Process

The consultant selection will be based on the consultant whose vision, as presented in the response to the RFP, would be the most advantageous to the Town as determined by the Town. Evaluation criteria will include:

1. Project team qualifications and experience
2. Consultants ability to produce user friendly documents with effective visuals that help explain development regulations
3. Demonstrated understanding of strengths, weaknesses, challenges, and opportunities for the Town of Nolensville
4. Timeframe for the development of a new Zoning Ordinance
5. Skills in presenting and educating
6. Capacity to draft a Zoning Ordinance that is compatible with today’s technology for online, easy to use platforms
7. Scope of work approach

7. Review Process

A selection committee will consist of the Town Manager, Planning Director, Board of Commissioners members appointed by the Board of Commissioners, at large member of the Planning Commission (not the Mayor or the Board of Commissioners representative) and at large member of the Economic Development Committee appointed by the Board of Commissioners. The Selection committee will review submittals and schedule any necessary interviews. Interviews will be conducted for the purpose of clarification. Upon completion of preliminary negotiations with the selected firm the Town will begin contract preparation.

8. Miscellaneous

This RFP is a solicitation and not an offer to contract. The Town reserves the right to issue clarifications and directives concerning the RFP to require clarification or further information with respect to any submittal, and to determine the final scope and terms of any contract for services, and whether to enter any contract or not. The provisions herein are solely for the fiscal responsibility of the Town and confer no rights, duties, or entitlements to the proposer. A written agreement for services will be required between the Town and the successful proposer.

The Town retains the right to reject any or all proposal submittals and to re-solicit if deemed to be in the best interest of the Town.

Consultant shall not subcontract any services without prior approval of the Town.

All RFP’s shall be irrevocable for 45 days from the date due.

Contractor shall carry insurance coverage.

Any information contained in the proposal that is proprietary in nature or protected by copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property law should be clearly identified for non-disclosure purposes.

Payment to contractor will be made upon submission and approval of invoice(s). Payment will follow normal Town payment processing cycles for issuance of checks.

All material submitted at the completion of the project shall become the property of the Town of Nolensville.