A link to the full RFP can be found here: https://www.monroeohio.org/DocumentCenter/View/1591/Planning-and-Zoning-Code-Request-for-Proposals

The City of Monroe is accepting written proposals from qualified firms to execute a comprehensive update to the Monroe Planning and Zoning Code, Chapter 12 of the City of Monroe Codified Ordinances.

I. Purpose

The City of Monroe is seeking assistance from highly qualified land use planning firms interested in contracting with the City of Monroe to provide planning and zoning code revisions. The City wishes to develop solutions specifically tailored to the City of Monroe. This code update will include an overall modernization of the code to provide for clarity, improved functionality, and achieve greater sensitivity to the character of the community. It is critical that firms demonstrate experience with public participation, meeting facilitation, and the development of various codes and design guidelines. The revisions will need to address areas of the code that are deficient, conflicting with itself or other City codes, outdated, overly complex, or that otherwise inhibit development. Most importantly, the code and associated zoning map will need to be updated to conform to Advance Monroe 2040, the City's Comprehensive Plan adopted in October 2021.

II. Background

The last major rewrite of the Code occurred between 2010 and 2013 as a result of the 2010 Comprehensive Plan update. The current Planning and Zoning Code may be found within the City Code of Ordinances and on the Development webpage. Due to minor updates made to the code over time, areas of the code are outdated or irrelevant. There are inconsistencies or conflicting regulations that at times make interpretation difficult. In October 2021, the City adopted Advance Monroe 2040. Advance Monroe recognizes the growth goals of the community and includes several new land use designations, new transportation and connectivity goals, and three major key redevelopment areas. As such, a critical component to implementing the Comprehensive Plan will be to update the City's Planning and Zoning Code and associated zoning map in accordance with the plan. This will be a major code update. In addition to primary goal of implementing the Comprehensive Plan through the zoning code, this endeavor will achieve the following:

• Correct conflicts, technical errors, and outdated or irrelevant information within the zoning code.
• Enhance usability with tables, reference images, cross-reference links, etc.
• Provide direction on areas where the code over-addresses or underaddresses particular topics.
• Utilize best practices and new approaches specific to mixed-use districts or overlay districts if and where warranted.