Request for Proposals for the Preparation of a Neighborhood Conservation District Plan and Guidelines for the Mason Farm /Whitehead Circle Neighborhood
Bid # q06-116
The Town of Chapel Hill is seeking proposals for consulting services from a qualified and experienced planning firm to work with the Chapel Hill Planning Board to develop a Neighborhood Conservation District for the Mason Farm/Whitehead Circle neighborhood that includes:
The design standards for the proposed Neighborhood Conservation District may include the following elements governing the physical characteristics and features of all property within the proposed district:
In addition, the design standards may include but are not limited to, the following elements:
The services sought would include the following:
The consultant would attend regular meetings with the Planning Board (at least once per month) to provide updates on progress and receive input. The consultant would make at least one presentation to the Town Council detailing its recommendations. The consultant’s final written report and presentation to the Planning Board should take place no later than February, 2007, unless a later date is agreed upon with the Town Manager, and shall complete the entire project, including a Neighborhood Conservation District Plan by May 31, 2007. The consultant will be selected by the Council. The Town Manager will coordinate staff assistance to the consultant.
BACKGROUND
The Land Use Management Ordinance enacted by the Town Council on January 27, 2003 includes a provision for creation of Neighborhood Conservation Districts. Purposes for creating a Neighborhood Conservation District include preservation and protection of unique and distinctive older in-town residential neighborhoods or commercial districts which contribute significantly to the overall character and identity of the Town. As stated in the Land Use Management Ordinance, a Neighborhood Conservation District is created as an overlay zoning district by enactment of an ordinance to designate the district. Please refer to Attachment 1 for an excerpt from the Land Use Management Ordinance about Neighborhood Conservation Districts.
The Land Use Management Ordinance provides three ways to initiate a Neighborhood Conservation District development process:
In this case, on November 21, 2005, the Council adopted a resolution authorizing the Manager to request proposals from consultants to develop a Neighborhood Conservation District for the Mason Farm / Whitehead Circle neighborhood. The Council expects work to begin in July, 2006.
On February 23, 2004 the Town Council established the first Neighborhood Conservation District in the Northside Area.
The Town is currently in the process of working with a consultant to complete four Neighborhood Conservation Districts. We expect work on these four districts to be completed in June.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Material presented to the Council on this subject are attached. In addition, the Town Clerk [email protected] is able to provide DVD versions of the televised discussion of this subject that took place at the March 20, 2006 public hearing. You may also view a video of the Planning Board’s discussions on this item that took place on February 21, 2006 by contacting the Chapel Hill Planning Department.
CONTRACTOR SELECTION / QUALIFICATIONS
Evaluations of the written proposals will include, but may not be limited to, the following elements:
A contract will be negotiated with the successful firm following review of all proposals.
RESPONSE REQUIREMENTS
Include responses to the following in your proposal, using the numbers below to identify each section.
An introductory section including the following
Proposals must be submitted in hard copy by mail or in person. Regardless of the method of delivery, the Town assumes no responsibility for not receiving proposals and all parties should verify that their proposal has been received prior to the deadline. Applicants should send proposal packets to:
Town of Chapel Hill
Attn: Coco Hall, Purchasing & Contracts Manager
405 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514
RE: Neighborhood Conservation District Consulting Services Proposal
Proposals (5 copies) will be considered if submitted by June 16, 2006 at 4:00 P.M. The Town Council is expected to review the proposals and award the contract on June 26, 2006 with work to begin ten calendar days after that in accord with the following calendar:
Date |
Step to be Taken |
June 1, 2006 |
Release of RFP |
June 12, 2006 |
Questions due regarding RFP |
June 16, 2006 |
Proposals due |
June 19- June 21, 2006 |
Interviews if needed |
June 26, 2006 |
Town Council selects consultant |
September, 2006 |
First meeting of neighborhood committee |
Questions regarding the project must be submitted via email to Rae Buckley, Housing and Neighborhood Services Planner at [email protected].
Responses to questions will be provided to all holders of this solicitation. All questions must be submitted no later than close of business on Monday, June 12, 2006 so answers may be formulated and distributed to all parties in advance of the proposal deadline.
All proposals will become the property of the Town of Chapel Hill and will be evaluated to determine which proposal most closely meets the requirements of the Town. At the discretion and option of the Town, oral interviews may be conducted with one or more firms to assist in the selection process. The Town reserves the right to reject any and all proposals and to accept the proposal most favorable to the Town.
NOTICE TO PROCEED
The Contractor shall commence work under this contract within ten (10) calendar days after receipt of written notice to proceed and shall complete the entire work by May, 2007.
The Contractor is not to begin work on the project prior to entering into a contract with the Town of Chapel Hill.
ATTACHMENT
1. Excerpt from Land Use Management Ordinance