Town of Harrisburg Unified Development Ordinance Update (UDO) - Request for Qualifications
Town of Harrisburg North Carolina
Unified Development
Ordinance Update (UDO) REISSUE
Request for Qualifications (RFQ)
Planning & Zoning Department
Date Issued: October 28, 2024
Responses Due: November 11, 2024
T R O
The Town of Harrisburg, North Carolina (“Town”) is seeking Qualification Statements from professional consultants or teams of consultants (“Consultant”) to update the “Harrisburg Unified Development Ordinance (UDO).” for the Town.
All sealed Qualification Statements must be received by 4:30 PM on November 11, 2024. Inquiries, amendments, or submissions received after the time and date listed above shall not be considered for evaluation. The selected Consultant will be required to complete the “Scope of Work” as outlined in this RFQ.
Written questions regarding this RFQ shall be submitted by 4:30 pm EST on November 1, 2024 Questions regarding this RFQ should be emailed to Zac Gordon, AICP, Planning Director at: zgordon@harrisburgnc.org. The Town shall make formal responses only in response to written questions. Responses to questions will be posted on November 4, 2024, by 4:30 pm EST on the Town’s website Any questions the Town feels pertinent to all proposals will be sent to all respondents who have submitted Qualification Statements.
The Town of Harrisburg reserves the right to reject any, and all submissions for any reason or no reason. This RFQ does not obligate the Town to pay any cost incurred by respondents in the preparation and submission of a response nor does it obligate the Town to accept or contract for any expressed or implied services
The Town of Harrisburg reserves the right to reject any, and all submissions for any reason or no reason This RFQ does not obligate the Town to pay any cost incurred by respondents in the preparation and submission of a response nor does it obligate the Town to accept or contract for any expressed or implied services.
COMMUNITY BACKGROUND
Incorporated in 1973, the Town of Harrisburg NC is located in southwest Cabarrus County, bordering Mecklenburg County and the City of Charlotte, which serves as the center of one of the most vibrant metropolitan regions in the United States. With a 2024 estimated population of 23,000 residents, Harrisburg is one of the fastest-growing municipalities in North Carolina and is known for its high quality of life and as an ideal place to live and raise a family Located near the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and the Charlotte Motor Speedway (CMS), Harrisburg is only a 30-minute drive from Uptown Charlotte and is within five miles of I-485, which connects to I-85 and I-77
PROJECT DESCRIPTION & PURPOSE
In August 2021, the Town of Harrisburg adopted a revised UDO, which represented a significant change to the previous UDO, in format, function, and content The revised UDO was designed for use in a “web-based” format and is fully searchable with links that allow for navigation within the ordinance and in some cases to documents outside the ordinance. The UDO was developed to be consistent with the vision and policies of the “Harrisburg Area Land Use Plan (HALUP) and includes several references to this document After three (3) years of usage, the Town has determined that a comprehensive assessment and update of the UDO is required, to ensure that it continues to function in a manner that serves the needs of those who use the UDO, including Town staff, property owners, developers and those who are looking to locate in the Town
PROJECT DESCRIPTION & PURPOSE
The consultant will be responsible for the following:
••General management of the project
•Drafting and preparation of the revised UDO, both printed and electronic
•Development of a “Public Engagement Plan” to guide the update process
•Presentation of revised UDO to stakeholders as required
•Final production of revised UDO, suitable for online publication and use
At the conclusion of the UDO update, the Town anticipates entering a “Continuing Services” contract with the Consultant for ongoing maintenance and amendments to the UDO
The purpose of the UDO update as follows:
Provide Town staff, citizen boards, elected officials, developers, and property owners with clear and concise guidance regarding the development of property in the Town of Harrisburg
Ensure compliance with NCGS (e.g., 160D) and any applicable federal law or court rulings
Enhance or modify existing content identified by the Town
Amend text identified in consultation with the Town including but not limited to: Zoning Districts and Land Use; Special Purpose and Overlay Districts; Building and Site Design; Subdivision; Environmental Management; Administration, Development Review Procedures; Nonconformities; Enforcement and Remedies and Definitions.
Modify and amend content consistent with zoning and land use “best practices”
Improve online useability, graphics, functionality, access to content and text links
LONG RANGE PLANS
Several long-range plans will provide context for the UDO update. These plans include:
HARRISBURG LAND USE PLAN
In 2018, the Harrisburg Town Council adopted the Harrisburg Area Land Use Plan (HALUP), developed in partnership between the Town and Cabarrus County This plan provides the vision and framework for the future development of the Town through 2040. The HALUP addressed the following areas:
Land Use & Development
Design
Cultural & Historic Resources
Economic Development
Parks, Recreation & Open Space
Environment & Natural Resources
Transportation
Utilities
Community Facilities
General
COMMUNITY TRANSPORTATION PLAN
The Town of Harrisburg adopted its Community Transportation Plan (CTP) to identify the transportation needs for motorists, bicyclists, pedestrians and transit in the community. The community-driven planning process established a vision for the transportation system in Harrisburg, identified d d d
HIGHWAY 49 CORRIDOR PLAN
The Highway 49 corridor is an essential north-south arterial connecting the City of Charlotte, the Town of Harrisburg, and the City of Concord The property along the corridor has seen extensive growth and in-fill development over the last decade, with this plan to serve as a guide for Town officials, residents, property owners, and developers in making sound land use, infrastructure, design, and development decisions within this 4.6-mile corridor. The plan was adopted in August 2021. The Highway 49 Corridor Plan ESRI Story Map allows the plan to be viewed in a dynamic format The plan is serving as the basis for ongoing improvements to the Highway 49 corridor.
TOWN CENTER PLAN
The Town Center Plan was approved as a “Planned Unit Development (PUD)” and was intended to serve as the “regulating plan” for the development of the “Harrisburg Town Center ” In 2003, the “Town Center” project began, with the goal of creating a true “downtown” for the Town of Harrisburg The Town Center project envisioned a mixed-use development, featuring both single and multi-family housing, retail, commercial and office uses Anchoring the Town Center is the Harrisburg Town Hall The inner portion of the Town Center features several restaurants, a microbrewery, a function space, and professional/medical offices The outer perimeter features auto-related services, business offices, and other retail offerings
TOWN CENTER OVERLAY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
The Town Center Plan is currently in the process of being updated This plan will be known as the “Town Center Overlay Development Plan (TCODP) ” The goal of the TCDOP is to transform the Harrisburg Town Center, guided by strategic public investment, into a true “downtown” environment that will serve as the cultural, entertainment, and civic center for the Town of Harrisburg.
SCOPE OF WORK
The “Scope of Work” for an update of the UDO, shall include the following:
A comprehensive examination of current text to identify potential and recommended amendments pertaining to content, format, and online accessibility. (NOTE: The Town has prepared a preliminary list, which will serve as the starting point for this examination) The examination shall include identification of any instances where content is not consistent with state or federal law (and corrective action required), as well as to improve the overall usefulness and function of the ordinance.
C O P E O
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT & STAKEHOLDER INPUT
It is expected that the Consultant will develop and oversee a comprehensive public engagement strategy with input (at a minimum) from the following key stakeholders: developers, engineers, landscape architects, architects, business owners, the Planning and Zoning Board, and the Town Council The public engagement strategy shall include small group meetings to receive feedback and input from these key stakeholders It is also expected that the consultant selected shall make presentations to the Planning and Zoning Board, Town Council, and the public The exact form of the public engagement plan will be determined by the Consultant in close coordination with the Town.
TOWN PROJECT TEAM
The Town’s project team will be led by the Planning Department which will provide primary staff support for this project The project team will work closely with the consultant(s) chosen, providing direction and oversight for the update, including guiding the plan through the preparation, review, presentation, and approval process. The project team may also include representatives from the Town Administration, Town Council, and the Planning and Zoning Board, who will ultimately make a recommendation on the plan to the Town Council in fulfillment of their advisory capacity
T I M E L I N E
PROJECT TIME FRAME
The Town anticipates the following schedule for the UDO update. A final schedule will be adopted as part of the contract between the Town and the Consultant chosen to prepare the update
RFQ Advertised
Questions Due from Consultants
Response to Questions from Consultants
RFQ Responses Due
Consultant Interviews
Consultant Selected Notified
Contract Negotiated
Town Council Awards Contract
Project Completion
October 28, 2024
November 1, 2024
November 4, 2024
November 11 , 2024
November 13 & 14, 2024
November 15, 2024
November 18 - 22, 2024
December 9, 2024
April 2025
PROJECT SUBMITTAL FORM & CONTENT
The submitted proposal must address all elements of the scope of work as outlined in the RFQ and should include (at a minimum) the following elements:
COVER LETTER
The cover letter should highlight your experience, your capability, and your understanding of the Town’s goals for the site and how you would achieve them. Identify and introduce the project lead firm and key personnel If you will be partnering with other firms, please identify them and describe their anticipated contributions.
PROJECT UNDERSTANDING AND APPROACH/WORK PLAN/DEMONSTRATE PROJECT EXPERIENCE
This section should include a detailed description of the proposer ’ s understanding of the intent of the project and its objectives, the character of the required deliverables, and overall approach to the project The proposer should identify the level of assistance required from the Town and/or Project Partners to complete each task.
Target group
We know what you want and we give it to you
DETAILED PROJECT SCHEDULE (IN GANTT CHART FORM)
SHOWING ALL MILESTONES, CRITICAL STAKEHOLDER/PUBLIC MEETINGS, AND DELIVERABLES TO MAINTAIN PROJECT PROGRESS BY THE PROJECT END DATE.
CONSULANT(S) COMPANY INFORMATION
Consultants shall provide the following information (The same information must be provided for each sub-consultant or each member of a joint venture):
PROJECT SUBMITTAL FORM & CONTENT
Name and business address, including telephone number and email contact.
History of the consultant
State in which the firm was organized or incorporated. Type of ownership, and name and location of parent company and subsidiaries, if any.
Number of full-time employees Part-time employees or consultants routinely engaged by the Consultant may be included, if clearly identified as such.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE OF THE CONSULTANT FIRM(S)
Please describe the prime consultant’s recent experience relevant to this project Include brief project profiles with total project cost as well as a key project reference with address, phone, and email contact information for each profile Particular emphasis should be placed on projects managed by the key personnel proposed for this project. If the respondent anticipates the use of sub-consultants, the respondent shall identify:
The role and extent to which sub-consultants will participate in the project.
How the prime consultant will oversee the work of these parties
The experience and credentials of these parties are relevant to this project
·References: Please submit names, addresses, and phone numbers of at least two references familiar with the sub-consultant's ability, experience, and reliability in the performance and management of projects of a similar nature.
PROJECT SUBMITTAL FORM & CONTENT
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE OF KEY STAFF
Identify key individuals to be assigned to this project and include the function and/or responsibility of each of the identified individuals
Experience summaries of these key individuals shall be provided, with emphasis on previous experience on similar projects in similar roles Resumes of these key individuals should be included
Target group
CONSULTANT EVALUATION & SELECTION PROCESS
Qualification Statements will be evaluated and ranked by a review committee consisting of the Town Manager, Deputy Town Manager, and Planning Director (and others as required) Statements shall be reviewed and assessed, based on the Consultant’s ability to meet the requirements of this Request for Qualifications (RFQ), including the proposed Scope of Work. Evaluation criteria will include, among other factors, the following:
•Demonstrated experience in creating similar work products, working with a diverse group of stakeholders, and ability to prepare user-friendly documents. Qualifications of the firm and personnel (including any sub-contractors) to be assigned to this project demonstrating the Consultant’s capacity to complete requested services, their experience completing similar projects, including experience with research and analysis related to the scope of work elements.
•Demonstration of overall project understanding and clarity of the proposal and creativity/thoroughness in addressing the project objectives and deliverables outlined in the RFQ.
•References to previous similar work, including work performed by all subconsultants
•Completeness of Qualifications Statement
The Town reserves the right to seek clarification of any submitted Qualifications Statement, reject any and all submittals received in response to this RFQ, negotiate with any qualified source, waive any formality and any technicalities, or cancel in part or its entirety this RFQ process if it is in the best interests of the Town
A short list of qualified consultants will be selected based on the Qualification Statements submitted. Consultants that are short-listed will be asked to present their qualifications in person to the Town, which should include a brief presentation followed by a “Question and Answer” period
SUBMISSION OF QUALIFICATION STATEMENTS
Firm(s) interested in being considered for this project should submit both electronic versions (via email or flash drive), along with five (5) (hard copies of their Qualification Statements by 4:30 PM EST, on November 11, 2024 to the attention of:
BRIAN LEE, CPA, CLGFO
Finance Director
Town of Harrisburg 4100 Main St. PO Box 100
Harrisburg, NC 28075 blee@harrisburgnc.org
ARE DUE NO LATER THAN 4:30 P.M. EST ON NOVEMBER 11, 2024.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This RFQ in no way obligates the Town to award a contract. All submittals become the property of the Town upon submission. The cost of preparing, submitting, and presenting Qualification Statements is solely with the responder All data, databases, reports, designs, and materials in digital and hard copy format created under this project shall be transferred to the town upon completion of the project and become the property of the Town. Ten percent (10%) of the total contract cost will be withheld as retainage pending successful project completion to the Town’s satisfaction
Questions regarding this RFQ should be directed to Zac Gordon, Planning Director, Town of Harrisburg at zgordon@harrisburgnc org Questions will be accepted until 4:30 pm EST on November 1, 2024, and answers will be posted by 4:30 pm EST on November 4, 2024
The Town will maintain a list of questions and answers on the Town of Harrisburg website
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An advertisement for the RFQ will be posted on the Town of Harrisburg website
