A full copy of the RFP can be viewed on the Town's website.

The Town of McCandless, a home rule community in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, is seeking proposals from qualified consultants to provide the professional planning services necessary to complete a full overhaul and modernization of the Town's zoning and land development ordinances. The core structure of the Town's land use code has remained in place since its original adoption in the late 1970s, and no longer suits the needs of a community that demands sustainable planning and smart redevelopment.

The successful candidate will bring a fresh perspective grounded in a demonstrated understanding of community engagement techniques that encourage buy-in and ownership of the future of the Town. Firms with the necessary experience and qualifications are encouraged to submit.

I. Addressing the New Comprehensive Plan

In 2019 the Town adopted its new comprehensive plan, A McCandless Conversation, after extensive community engagement. This public feedback determined the priority policy areas identified in the plan, which include Active Transportation & Connectivity, Community Activities, Green Space & Sustainability, Redevelopment, and Community Identity & Public Engagement. At first glance, Redevelopment is the most logical policy area that would be impacted by an overhaul of the Town's zoning.

In reality, however, zoning can be a pivotal aspect of each of these priorities. Zoning informs the way we move between and throughout our communities; it determines what activities we can enjoy, and where. It can protect green space, while also building a sustainable revenue picture for the Town's future. It's the difference between redevelopment and smart redevelopment. Zoning can even change the way we think of our communities and ourselves.

A proactive, intentional approach to zoning and development will be integral to our future as a thriving community that provides the top-tier services and desirable lifestyle identified by the Comprehensive Plan. McCandless is seeking the assistance of a planning firm that views itself as a community partner, is passionate about creating engaging public spaces, and isn't afraid to try something new.

II. Key Strategic Interests

A successful zoning ordinance update will provide solutions for the following key strategic interests:

1. Future-Proof Flexibility

When discussing our zoning ordinances with residents, one message comes through loud and clear: they want our zoning to work with our neighborhoods, not in spite of them. The unique topography and environmental assets within the Town, coupled with a diverse housing stock that developed across multiple decades, make a one-size-fits-all solution difficult at best. A modern zoning ordinance must account for the limitations of older subdivisions that were drawn under less strict dimensional requirements, while also recognizing that the existing residential regulations were an intentional limit on density.

Yesteryear's "home occupation business" is today's Etsy store. Consideration should be given for the evolving technological landscape and an open-ended understanding of how accessory structures and uses on single-family lots change over time.

2. Zoning as Placemaking

The current zoning districts in McCandless have been in place for the last several decades and reflect the hopes and expectations of a community that was trying to define itself as offering something distinct from its neighbors. At the time, numerous targeted commercial districts were deployed to allow for precise control of specific areas of the community. Today's residents, however, demand a different community character — a place that is both a destination and a home. Even more pertinent over the last year, a changing concept of what community spaces should look like and offer will require a dynamic reimagining of how we zone, and why.

Instead of letting market forces and individual developers dictate what the character of our community spaces will be, a successful modernization of our zoning ordinance will send the signal: let's build something together.

3. We're More Than Just a Park!

McCandless occupies a unique position in the Pittsburgh suburban landscape. Home to the largest of nine county parks, the community regards North Park as its crown jewel. Outdoor enthusiasts come from all over Allegheny County — and sometimes even from neighboring counties — to enjoy the beauty the North Hills have to offer. Many McCandless residents were originally drawn in by the park, and our street names reflect the high value we place on a "park-like" built environment.

But there's more to McCandless than a pass-through for a regional recreational area, and the right zoning can help realize that potential. Smart redevelopment of key commercial areas can provide amenities for residents and travelers alike, enhancing the natural environment rather than treating it as a barrier to overcome.

III. Scope of Services

The selected consulting firm will work closely with Town staff and an appointed steering committee throughout the project. The consultant may also be asked to participate in public hearings or present progress updates to the Planning Commission and Town 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 Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC).
• Meet and/or teleconference regularly with Town staff for project review and status updates.
• Attend steering committee meetings at an agreed-upon schedule.
• Attend McCandless Planning Commission and Town Council meetings to provide occasional status updates as requested.
• Prepare all necessary advertisements and correspondence pursuant to the MPC, Town Charter, and Pennsylvania Sunshine Act, or as may be required by Allegheny County agencies.
• Determine the level of community resources and administrative capacity of the Town in regards to zoning and land use enforcement and develop regulations respective of same.
• Be experienced with creative solutions to zoning and land use challenges, such as overlay districts and form-based code, and recommend them to the Town as appropriate.
• Balance the importance of community feedback with the need for professional guidance.
• Explore strategies for more flexible residential districts, such as ADUs and conversion apartments, that lower the barrier to entry in a highly desirable community.
• Avoid requirements that are prohibitive to realistic use of an area in pursuit of an ideal.
• Eliminate contradictions and redundancy; identify areas in the existing ordinance that lack clarity and create new zoning codes that are straightforward and avoid confusion or duplication.
• Assist Town 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 bulk requirements).

Final deliverables will be submitted in accordance with an approved Project Completion Schedule and include a complete revised zoning ordinance; subdivision/land development 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 McCandless Town Hall, addressed as follows:

Town of McCandless
ATTN: RJ Susko
9955 Grubbs Rd
Wexford, PA 15090

Submissions must be received by 4:00 PM, local prevailing time, on July 23, 2021.

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 Town of McCandless Complete Zoning and Land Development Ordinance Modernization RFP.

2. Consulting Firm's Experience

• A brief history/bio on the consulting firm (maximum 2 pages in length);
• 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;
• Examples of recent work using the techniques and approaches noted in the Scope of Services;
• Any consultant suggestions for how the scope of work could be enhanced, including details of same;
• Minimum of three (3) references including contact information for similar work, with preference for zoning ordinance re-write projects or other studies related to sustainable redevelopment and creative suburban land use. 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 the Town of McCandless 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 Town'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 Town will not be responsible for any costs associated with the oral or written presentation of proposals. The Town reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, with or without cause; to waive any irregularities or informalities in the proposals; and to re-solicit proposals at its sole discretion. The Town further reserves the right to make such investigations as it deems necessary as to the qualifications of any and all firms submitting proposals.

V. Selection Criteria and Procedures

Proposals will be evaluated and a consultant will be selected based on the following criteria:

• 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 Town.
• 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 Town 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 Town to secure grant funding to assist with this project.

VI. Requests for Information

Requests for information should be submitted in writing no later than July 14, 2021 to:

RJ Susko
Planning & Development Director
9955 Grubbs Rd
Wexford, PA 15090
Email: rsusko@townofmccandless.org

Email submissions of requests for information are strongly preferred.

Responses to any written requests for information received timely will be posted on the Town website's Employments & Bids page by end of business on July 16, 2021. Interested parties are encouraged to check the website for any updates prior to submitting.

No verbal instructions or verbal information to interested parties will be binding on the Town. 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 requests for information. Should any alterations to the specifications be made, written addenda will be posted on the Town website's Employment & Bids page. These addenda shall be considered part of these specifications.

The Town's Employment & Bids page can be accessed at: https://townofmccandless.org/about/pages/employment-and-bids