Comprehensive Plan Update
City of Lago Vista
Lago Vista, TX
Primary Comprehensive Planning Consultant (RFQ No. 23-02)
The City of Lago Vista is initiating a qualification-based process to select a primary planning consultant. That consultant is expected to lead and coordinate an effort that addresses the issues and potential difficulties described below. The desired result is an efficient and effective process, and ultimately an updated comprehensive master plan that reflects the current values of the community, including individual residents and owners of vacant land.
Background
The most recent comprehensive master plan for the City of Lago Vista and its extraterritorial jurisdiction was completed and adopted in 2016. It anticipated continuing growth based on trends in the area and local residential permitting data. That plan states that the need "to anticipate continued growth" was based on a desire to "plan for the development of additional community infrastructure and programs needed to support a growing population." Those population estimates were based on a residential occupancy rate of 78.7 percent, 2.52 persons per household and the approximate 70 residential dwelling permits issued in 2015. That was historically consistent as Lago Vista experienced an average annual growth rate of 3.4 percent between 2000 and 2010, the most recent US census data available for that effort.
Almost immediately afterwards, local permitting began to increase dramatically. Permit volume doubled by the end of FY 2017 and continued to grow at a rate not previously contemplated. The total number of residential dwellings permitted in FY 2021 exceeded five hundred (500) despite the economic challenges experienced late in that period that kept the growth rate from being even higher. While the community was engaged in the development of the existing comprehensive plan, it seems unlikely that they could have anticipated the growth that Lago Vista continues to experience despite volatile current market conditions.
There is a growing concern from residents that a comprehensive plan that did not adequately anticipate or address this level of growth does not include the type of analysis, goals, strategies, recommendations, or implementation tools that can accommodate a fiscally desirable level and pattern of development. There is also fear that the existing land use recommendations do not adequately manage growth in a manner that ensures only quality development that preserves the natural beauty and essential character of the municipality and surrounding area. Perhaps more significant, there is evidence that our citizens fear and resist the prospect of any new development, while maintaining their desire for increased retail options that require sufficient demographic support and growth. If those potentially contradictory goals cannot be resolved in a manner that can be embraced by the entire community, disenchantment will likely increase. Ignoring it is an even less effective alternative.
In short, a plan that does not directly address this challenge cannot completely reflect the goals, desires, and aspirations of the community at large. It would lack the political support necessary for meaningful implementation, progress, or land use decisions regarding development that might potentially help reach those goals.
Process
The City of Lago Vista will provide an experienced staff member to serve as a project manager that is both a registered architect and certified planner. It is also anticipated that broad citizen participation will include some type of committee or advisory group that includes both representatives of the community at-large and those who might already be serving on existing citizen committees, commissions, or boards.
While it is not necessary or even desirable to attempt to predetermine all areas of expertise that might ultimately be required, the following general topics and specific issues seem likely to be a significant part of the desired scope of services.
- Environmental concerns / resource conservation (infrastructure and growth management, open space preservation, and infrastructure capacity, including stormwater accommodations and water resources).
- Neighborhood planning and vitalization (includes "greenfields" and the large number of vacant platted lots in established subdivisions that are perhaps not currently viable because of severe topography or utility extension costs).
- Housing form variety (including recommended locations and appropriate land use transitions and/or buffers).
- Economic development (perhaps generally, but specifically as it relates to its impact on physical development and commercial land uses).
- Fiscal Impact / Growth Alternative analysis (as required to support the strategies and recommendations).
Outreach and engagement support, including the use of the city website and notification tools, will be provided by the Lago Vista staff, but coordinated under the direction of the selected consultant team. All recent demographic and relevant land use data from other studies will be compiled by the staff and delivered in a digital format. Existing GIS data will be made available and a limited amount of GIS support and/or coordination can be made available if desired.
Submittal Requirements
It is expected that the following information will be provided in each response:
- primary contact information for the firm;
- the form of ownership structure and all key principals, officers, or directors;
- a statement of the qualifications of both the firm and all key personnel intended to perform services;
- a brief explanation of the capacity of the firm and the availability of key personnel;
- a list of relevant projects and clients who may be contacted for references; and
- a recommended timeline for completion of the updated plan.
Except as described above, there are no other specific requirements for submittals, which should be received no later than 3:00 P.M. on January 18, 2023, at the following address:
Attn: Tracie Hlavinka, City Manager
City of Lago Vista
P.O. Box 4727
Lago Vista, TX 78645
The contract to be executed will necessitate insurance coverage that meets the minimum requirements for the City of Lago Vista. A copy of those requirements will be provided upon request. Additional information and clarifications can be provided by Roy Jambor, AICP / PA at roy.jambor@lagovistatexas.gov or (512) 267-1155, extension 113.