PUBLIC NOTICE REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS ZONING ORDINANCE UPDATES SOMERSET COUNTY AND THE CITY OF CRISFIELD, MARYLAND Somerset County and the City of Crisfield, Maryland are requesting sealed proposals from qualified consultants to update their respective Zoning Ordinances, and corresponding Zoning Maps, in accordance with current planning practices and consistent with their respective Comprehensive Plans. The County and the City s Request for Proposals (RFP) includes an update to both the County and the City Zoning Ordinances under a single planning consultant. This project is funded through a Coastal Zone Management grant, and although each update will be accomplished with each local government and independent of the other, the grant has been awarded to Somerset County, who will manage and oversee all aspects of the grant. The RFP is on Somerset County s website at http://www.somersetmd.us/ and on the City of Crisfield s website at http://www.cityofcrisfield-md.gov/. Questions should be directed to Somerset County Planning Director, Gary Pusey, during normal business hours at 410-651-1424 or emailed to gpusey@somersetmd.us. Sealed proposals will be received at the Somerset County Department of Technical and Community Services until 4:00 PM on September 25, 2017. Any proposals received after 4:00 p.m. on the stated date will not be considered. Somerset County and the City of Crisfield reserve the right to accept or reject any or all proposals, to waive informalities, and to otherwise act in the best interests of the County and the City in all matters related to the proposed work. Advertise in Salisbury Daily Times: Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017
Somerset County and the City of Crisfield, Maryland Request for Proposals (RFP) Zoning Ordinance Updates September 2017 I. Project Description A. Purpose Somerset County and the City of Crisfield intend to update their respective Zoning Ordinances, and corresponding Zoning Maps, in accordance with current planning practices and consistent with their Comprehensive Plans. As such, the County and the City are inviting qualified planning professionals to submit a written proposal in response to this Request for Proposals (RFP) to update both the County and the City Zoning Ordinances under a single planning consultant. (Note: For purposes of this project, it is assumed that when reference is made to updating the Zoning Ordinance, this shall include the updating of the corresponding Zoning Map). This project is grant funded and although each update will be accomplished with each local government and independent of the other, the grant has been awarded to Somerset County, who will manage and oversee all aspects of the grant, to include grant reporting and invoicing. Somerset County and the City of Crisfield seek to update their individual Zoning Ordinances and Zoning Maps consistent with the goals, objectives, and recommendations outlined in their respective Comprehensive Plans; with State statute; and with Smart Growth Principles. The revised ordinances should reflect the vision and implementation strategies/actions outlined in their Plans; enhance and strengthen coastal resiliency and seek to promote resilient coastal development; promote infill, redevelopment, and revitalization; establish a style of development that preserves the unique character of the areas; streamline existing zoning districts and development regulations; and institute new standards that raise expectations for the type and design of development for these coastal communities. B. Community Background Somerset County is the southernmost county on Maryland s Eastern Shore and has a land area of some 330 square miles, including several islands in the Chesapeake Bay. The County has over 600 miles of shoreline along the Bay, and its character varies from fishing communities and summer homes to marshland and wilderness. The County is largely rural in nature. 1
As of the 2010 Census, the population was 26,470 people, an increase of 7% since the 2000 Census. According to the 2015 American Community Survey (ACS) five-year estimates, the median household income is $35,154, compared to $74,551 for the State. In 2015, 24.7% of County residents were below the poverty level compared to 10.0% for the State. In general, Somerset County is an economically disadvantaged county, when compared to other Maryland counties and the State, as a whole. The City of Crisfield is one of two municipalities in Somerset County, the other is Princess Anne, the County seat. Crisfield is the southernmost municipality in Maryland and is located on the Chesapeake Bay, off Tangier Sound, near the mouth of the Annemessex River. Crisfield is a waterfront hamlet that for nearly three centuries has been best known for its seafood, especially blue crabs and oysters. The City has long been referred to as The Crab Capital of the World. As of the 2010 Census, Crisfield had a population of 2,726 people, an increase of just 0.1% from the 2000 Census. According to the American Community Survey (ACS) fiveyear estimates, the median household income is $29,208, compared to $74,551 for the State. For that same 5-year time frame, the ACS reported 44.6% of City residents below the poverty level compared to 10.0% for the State. For some time, the City has been grappling with high poverty and unemployment rates, deteriorating infrastructure, low median household incomes, decreasing population, a declining seafood industry, and a decline in other industrial opportunities. Since 2012, when Hurricane Sandy hit the area in a disastrous way, the County, and particularly the City, have been in recovery mode. Federal, state, and local governments, as well as religious institutions and other non-profit organizations, have worked as partners to leverage millions of dollars in funding for homes to be rehabilitated, elevated, and/or rebuilt; as well as provided funding for several critical infrastructure projects. Recovery efforts from Sandy will be ongoing for many years to come. Somerset County and the City of Crisfield have a significant history of and commitment to long range planning. Both the County and the City updated their Comprehensive Plans in 2010 to include the new elements required by House Bill 1141 (a Water Resources Element for the County and Water Resources and Municipal Growth Elements for the City). The County and the City are not required to update their Plans again until 2020. Both updated their Floodplain Ordinances in 2015, based upon the recommended State model. In 2011, through a CoastSmart grant, the City updated its Critical Area Ordinance based upon the State s recommended model; and in 2014, the County, also funded by a CoastSmart grant, updated its Critical Area Ordinance based upon the State s model. In 2012, both the County and the City adopted the Somerset County Hazard Mitigation Plan, and also in 2012, the County and the City adopted Septic Growth Tiers Maps consistent with Senate Bill 236. All of these plans and ordinances combined help to better position the County and the City with respect to decisions on future growth, land use issues, and environmental protection. 2
C. Scope of Work The selected consulting firm will work independently with both the Somerset County Planning Commission for the County Zoning Ordinance update and the Crisfield Planning Commission for the City Zoning ordinance update, and key County and City staff, to develop updated zoning ordinances that support the goals and objectives of the respective Comprehensive Plans, consistent with Smart Growth Principles and in furtherance of resilient development concepts for coastal communities. The respective Planning Commissions will be the governmental bodies responsible for overseeing the development and review of the individual ordinances; in cooperation with key County and City staff and the county and municipal attorneys. Upon completion of the final draft ordinances, the respective Planning Commissions will recommend adoption of the ordinances to their elected officials. While it is anticipated that the Zoning Ordinances will be updated to reflect the goals and objectives of the respective Comprehensive Plans, they must also be revised to eliminate any archaic and ambiguous language, inconsistencies, and dated development concepts. The intent of this combined County/City project is not to perform a Comprehensive Re-write of both zoning ordinances, but rather to update both ordinances to bring them into the 21 st Century and incorporate more modern zoning techniques with due consideration given to coastal resiliency concepts. The consultant will be responsible for recommending the organization and style of the ordinances. The zoning ordinances should be efficient, easy-to-use documents (hard copy and digital) that will help implement the land use policies of Somerset County and Crisfield. M echanisms such as cross-referencing, illustrations, and tables should be utilized, wherever possible, to make the ordinances user-friendly. The consultant will have the primary responsibility of drafting and redrafting the text of the zoning ordinances after receiving appropriate input from citizens, stakeholders, Planning Commission members, elected officials, and County and City staff. D. Deliverables All items delivered as part of this project shall be the sole property of Somerset County and the City of Crisfield. The consultant shall be responsible for the submittal and execution of the following: 1. Progress Reports and Research. For purposes of the grant funding and reporting requirements, the consultant shall be responsible for submitting monthly progress reports and research information, in digital format, relative to the project. The consultant shall clearly depict how the regulatory requirements of the proposed ordinances may differ from the regulatory requirements of the existing adopted ordinances. Background information regarding subjects addressed in the proposed ordinances, which are not addressed in the current ordinances, shall also be submitted. 3
2. Draft Ordinances / Maps. Digital versions of draft documents are required during the development stages of the project for review and use by the Planning Commission and staff. The consultant shall be responsible for submitting digital versions of the draft documents and the County/City staff shall be responsible for providing hard copies of the draft documents to Planning Commission members and other interested parties. 3. Meetings. The consultant will be responsible for meeting with the respective Planning Commissions and County/City staff on a regular basis. The consultant s fee shall include attending a minimum of eight (8) workshops/meetings with each of the respective Planning Commissions (16 workshops/meetings total); and a minimum of two (2) meetings and/or public hearings in each jurisdiction with the elected officials. The Somerset County Planning Commission meets at 7:00 PM on the first Thursday of each month, and the Crisfield Planning Commission meet at 4:30 PM on the 1 st Tuesday of each month. 4. Final Work Products. The updated zoning ordinances and zoning maps must be provided in both print and electronic format that are compatible with the County s and the City s individual software programs. The consultant shall provide the following specific ordinance products for EACH jurisdiction: Ten (10) bound hardcopies and one electronic version of the final zoning ordinances in an 8-1/2 x 11 format, compatible with the County/City software. Two large scale (24 x 36 ) copies of the final zoning maps shall be included as part of the final zoning ordinances. The consultant shall also provide a digital version of the final zoning map in a format suitable for placing on the government websites (like an Adobe PDF file). E. Information Provided by Somerset County and the City of Crisfield The County/City will be responsible for providing the selected consulting firm with a hard copy (digital if possible) of the following documents immediately following the signing of the contract: Current zoning ordinances, as amended; Current zoning maps, as amended; and Current Comprehensive Plans, as amended. F. Timeline As this project is funded by a Coastal Zone Management (CZM) grant, the County/City is required to comply with the grant period which begins October 1, 2017 and ends September 30, 2018. According to the terms of the grant, the Zoning Ordinances do not have to be adopted by September 30, 2018, but adoption ready versions must be fully developed by that September 30 th date. 4
G. Proposal Submission An original and five (5) copies of the proposal must be received no later than 4:00 PM on September 25, 2017. All proposals must be in a sealed envelope marked Somerset County/City of Crisfield Zoning Ordinance Updates and addressed to: Somerset County Department of Technical and Community Services Attention: Gary Pusey, Planning Director Room 211 11916 Somerset Avenue Princess Anne, Maryand 21853 All costs incurred for proposal preparation, presentation, or contract negotiations are the responsibility of the consultant. Each proposal must be complete and the County and the City reserve the right to reject any or all proposals and to select proposals that they deem to be in their best interests. All firms submitting proposals are bound by the deadlines and requirements of this RFP. Proposals submitted by fax, telephone, or email will not be accepted. All proposals shall remain in effect subject to the County and the City s review and approval for a period of sixty (60) days from the deadline for submitting proposals. Any exceptions or deviations from the scope of work shall be noted and explained in the proposal. Questions regarding the RFP should be directed to Gary Pusey, Planning Director, Room 211, 11916 Somerset Avenue, Princess Anne, Maryland 21853, (410) 651-1424, gpusey@somersetmd.us H. Proposal Format Proposals shall include the following information: 1. Cover letter. A cover letter, not to exceed 2 pages, that outlines your firm s understanding of the project and capability to address the scope of work. The letter must be signed by an authorized official empowered to commit the firm to a contractual arrangement with Somerset County. 2. Professional Staff. List the names of the principals and key personnel who will be assigned to the project and provide professional resumes of each key member of the project team. Also, identify any sub-consultants who may be working on the project and submit a professional resume for each key sub-consultant. Please note that the primary consultant will be required to assume responsibility for all key services offered in the primary consultant s proposal, regardless of which firm provides them. The primary consultant will be the point of contact with regard to contractual matters, including payment of any and all charges resulting from the contract. 5
3. Qualifications and References. Include a narrative of the firm s qualifications for the proposed project, including the types of services for which the firm is qualified. The narrative should describe the firm s specific experience working with zoning ordinances, comprehensive plans, and growth management techniques, such as Smart Growth Principles. Provide a list of recent projects completed by the firm that demonstrate similar competencies that will be needed for this project. For each past project, include the name, title and phone number of a representative whom the County and the City may contact to discuss your experience. 4. Project Work Plan and Timeline. Provide a detailed description of the firm s approach to the project, including specific tasks to be accomplished such as background research, meetings, milestone dates, document delivery dates, progress reports, designated review periods, public hearing dates, and anticipated adoption dates. For each task, describe the activity, the method for conducting the activity, the intended results, products, any work or activity to be conducted by the County/City or its representatives, and the anticipated timeframe using a Gantttype chart that shows by the month or week, expected completion for each task to illustrate when each will be undertaken and completed. Included in this section may be a discussion on any substantive or innovative ideas used in other similar projects, which you feel is applicable to this project. 5. Budget / Cost Summary. A detailed financial schedule including hourly rates of all key individuals assigned to the project; a financial breakdown for incidental costs, such as mileage and travel charges, printing, mailing, binding; and any other fees/charges shall be provided. The total budget for the project shall be based on the number of hours of work provided and out of pocket expenses and shall not exceed the maximum cost proposed unless an amendment to the contract is negotiated and approved by the proper authority of the county. In addition, your firm s preferred method of billing/payment must be disclosed. 6. Conflict of Interest. Provide a list of any work contracts in which your firm is currently involved with adjacent communities or with private developers doing work in Somerset County and provide a list of any projects that could be considered or could create a real or perceived conflict of interest. 7. Resources. Indicate all resources your firm will need to have the County and City supply to properly complete this project. I. Evaluation of Proposals Somerset County and the City of Crisfield will evaluate submitted proposals based on the quality of the response, the technical and professional expertise and related work experience of the consultant, the proposed method and procedures for completion of the work, the understanding of the goals and objectives related to the project, and the cost for completion of the work. 6
Somerset County and the City of Crisfield will review the proposals and reserve the right to conduct interviews with all or some of the consultants. If interviews are conducted, key staff that are to be assigned to the project are expected to attend. J. Special Conditions 1. The consultant shall vest title to all documents produced under or as a direct result of this contract. All documents, reports, maps, drawings, sketches, notes, calculations, correspondence, electronic files, and any other materials prepared by the consultant under this contract shall remain the property of Somerset County and the City of Crisfield. 2. This project is being funded by a CZM grant from the Department of Natural Resources. As a result, the selected consultant will be required to adhere to all of the invoicing, procedural, and reporting requirements outlined in the grant contract and to provide any required grant information to the County in both hard and digital formats. 3. Provisions of this RFP and the contents of the successful proposal will be used to establish final contractual obligations. Somerset County and the City of Crisfield retain the option of canceling the award if the successful consultant fails to accept such obligations. Somerset County and the successful consultant shall enter into a written contract for work to be performed. It is expressly understood that this RFP and the consultant s proposal shall be attached and included by reference in an agreement signed by the County and the successful consultant. 7