SCOPE OF SERVICES

The consultant or consulting team will provide the planning services necessary for the complete rewrite of the zoning ordinance and the subdivision and land development ordinance (SALDO) for Millcreek Township. The following sections describe the scope of work and specific deliverables. The consultant/consulting team may submit suggestions on how the scope of work can be enhanced and/or amended, plus additional details of approach, methods, etc. for carrying out the project.

1. Implementation of Embrace Millcreek and Public Engagement and Promotion

In August of 2018, Millcreek Township adopted an implementable comprehensive plan, Embrace Millcreek. All five focus areas of Embrace Millcreek require that the zoning ordinance and SALDO be updated to create the vision outlined in the comprehensive plan. With a focus on future development and the community-owned comprehensive plan, it is important to have the public engaged and informed in the process of developing these ordinances. This includes public meetings and hearings where the public will learn and comment on how Embrace Millcreek is being implemented.

2. The Zoning Ordinance

The guiding document for Millcreek Township is Embrace Millcreek. The zoning ordinance is the backbone of achieving the goals set forth in Embrace Millcreek. The consultant's work for the zoning ordinance will consist of drafting a new zoning map that is consistent with the future land use map. This will involve creating new districts as well as reviewing and updating existing districts. Overlay districts and design standards may also be required to achieve these goals. A complete overhaul of the existing text is required. This will include a comprehensive review of permitted uses in each district, definition updates, parking requirements, etc. The consultant will also help anticipate and address emerging trends in the sharing economy that has become prevalent in recent years.

3. The Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO)

The SALDO is the ordinance that will create the environment envisioned by Embrace Millcreek. The consultant will develop a new SALDO that is consistent with the comprehensive plan. This will require updating design standards, improvement requirements, manufactured home park regulations, etc. The new SALDO will also provide options for more flexible subdivision development, such as cluster or conservation subdivisions. There will be an emphasis on providing for sustainable and green development since there are a variety of parks in the Township that are regional attractions. The SALDO will also encourage the adaption and reuse of abandoned and/or underutilized commercial and industrial properties by providing flexibility for adaptive development.

4. Minimum MPC requirements shall be met

Act 247 of 1968, as amended, the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC), is the enabling legislation in Pennsylvania. Both the zoning ordinance and the SALDO have distinct and separate requirements under the MPC to be legally binding ordinances. These requirements must be adhered to. Although the zoning ordinance and SALDO are complementary land use regulations, the two ordinances are to be separate, standalone ordinances and not intertwined.

PROJECT COORDINATION

Throughout the project, coordination will be maintained between the Township and the consultant.

The consultant's approach and method must include, at a minimum:

1. Initial meeting with the Planning Commission and Township staff to review the project.
2. Regular meetings with the Millcreek Township Planning Commission.
3. Obtain the input of the public through a variety of techniques to include but not necessarily limited to public workshops and public meetings.
4. At a minimum, monthly project review meetings/conference calls with key staff.
5. Prepare and present draft and final Ordinances.
6. Present the final Ordinances to the public and the Millcreek Township Supervisors and participate in a public hearing to formally present the plan for approval and adoption if necessary.

TIMELINE

The proposal shall include a project completion schedule/timeline that provide anticipated dates of completion for each step of the planning process. It is anticipated that the project will take approximately eighteen (18) months to complete.

SELECTION CRITERIA

The Township will evaluate the proposals, and will select a consultant based on the following criteria, amongst others:

• Understanding the Scope of Services and objectives of the project;
• Creativity and innovation in techniques and ideas;
• The relevant qualifications and recent experience of the consultant(s) in preparing land use ordinances and meeting objectives of the comprehensive plan;
• Qualifications and experience of the consultant and assigned personnel;
• Suggestions submitted to enhance and/or amend the scope of work and additional details of the approach and methods to carry out the project;
• Proposals will be competitively judged on the quality and value of the proposed work approach, products, etc., and proposed budget;
• Ability to carry out and manage the project, and to meet the expected project timeline/completion schedule.

The full RFP can be downloaded by clicking this link. Please direct any questions to Matthew Puz, Jr. at (814) 833-2935 or via email to mpuz@millcreektownship.com