I. Background

The Centre Regional Planning Agency provides professional land use planning services on a regional and local scale for the Townships of College, Ferguson, Halfmoon, Harris, and Patton and State College Borough. The map of the Centre Region highlights the six participating municipalities to provide a better understanding when contributing to the update of the Centre Region Comprehensive Plan. Additionally, this context is especially important for consultants supporting local planning functions in Harris and Patton Townships. These two municipalities represent distinct community types within the region, each with its own development patterns, planning priorities, and regulatory frameworks. Consultants are encouraged to consider these differences when proposing approaches to ordinance review, plan updates, and community engagement strategies.

Both Harris and Patton currently manage their planning processes internally, utilizing existing CRPA staff and planning commissions with established procedures. Currently CRPA has reduced staff and needs additional assistance.

II. Scope of Work

The selected consultant will support the municipalities’ planning functions by providing professional services that include, but are not limited to:

• Subdivision and Land Development Review: Conduct reviews of subdivision and land development plans for consistency with municipal ordinances. Prepare written comments, attend meetings as needed, and support Planning Commission review processes.
• Ordinance Review and Revisions: Evaluate and recommend updates to zoning and land development ordinances. Prepare draft revisions aligned with planning best practices and local goals.
• Comprehensive Plan Update Assistance: Provide support on the Centre Region Comprehensive Plan Update, up to 5 hours per week, including reviewing draft content, assisting with data analysis, and preparing materials as needed.
• General Planning Support: Provide ongoing assistance with planning inquiries, pre-application meetings, and comprehensive plan consistency reviews.

Alternate-Option 1:

• Evening Meeting Attendance: The selected consultant will be expected to attend evening Planning Commission meetings for each participating municipality, along with additional public meetings or workshops as needed. The total number of evening meetings may be up to five (5) per month. Please provide pricing for both in-person and virtual attendance options.

The term of service will be approximately twelve (12) months, beginning on August 1, 2025, and ending July 31, 2026.

III. Minimum Qualifications

• At least 3 years of professional planning experience, preferably in Pennsylvania.
• Working knowledge of the PA Municipalities Planning Code (MPC).
• Experience in plan review and ordinance drafting.

IV. Proposal Requirements

Interested parties should submit a proposal including:

1. Letter of Interest
2. Qualifications and Relevant Experience
3. Project Approach
4. Staffing Plan and Availability
5. Fee Schedule and Cost Estimate*
   • Both municipalities have allotted planning hours for the 2025 year. As of June 2025, at least 680 total hours remain for Patton and Harris Township combined. These hours will not all be consultant hours but will include CRPA staff time for coordination.
   • Provide separate costs for Alternate-Option 1.
6. Three References

V. Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on:

• Experience and qualifications
• Understanding of municipal planning in Pennsylvania
• Feasibility and clarity of approach
• Availability for meetings and deadlines
• Cost-effectiveness

VI. Submission Instructions

Submit proposals electronically in PDF format by July 16, 2025 to:

Pam Adams, Director
c/o Gabrielle Lauder, Office Manager
Centre Regional Planning Agency
officemanager@crcog.net
814-231-3050

Questions may be submitted by July 7, 2025, with responses shared with all known interested parties by July 9, 2025.