Comprehensive Plan Consulting Services

On Tuesday, March 18, the Town Council authorized staff to search for a consultant to assist the Town with completing the Plan. Also that evening, they agreed to utilize a firm for the economic study for the Plan.

Comprehensive Planning Services Consultant

The Planning Commission has been working with staff on the Plan update since September 2007. With the recent departure of the Planning Director, it has been recognized that the schedule for the Plan process cannot be adhered to without seeking additional assistance.

A structure and process for the Plan update has been well thought out, and many staff hours have been spent. Also, three of the ten policy chapters have been drafted.

Originally, it was anticipated that consultants would be used in three areas:
(1) Economics (2)Transportation (3) Urban Design.

Now, we propose to utilize two consultants – Economics and General Comprehensive Planning Services. The Comp Plan consultant will need to demonstrate the ability to concentrate in Transportation and Urban Design.

Staff intends for this consultant to work with staff to fulfill the process and framework that has been adopted. The firm selected would draft policy chapters, develop land use scenarios, facilitate neighborhood meetings, develop graphics and maps.

Most data collection will be completed by the Economic analyst, and staff is still planning to undertake tasks that can be managed in-house.

This proposal will help ensure that the Comp Plan process is as seamless as possible throughout this time of staff transition, as well as ensure that the schedule is adhered to. Given the weakness of direction in our current comprehensive plan, and growing development pressure in the area we believe that staying on this schedule is extremely important.

Economic & Demographic Analysis Consultant

Response to the Economic and Demographic Analysis Request for Proposals was excellent. Sixteen well qualified proposals were recieved, and four of those firms scored an interview.

The selection panel agreed that Urban Partners of Philadelphia was the right choice.

Ultimately, that firm demonstrated a clear understanding of how we plan to integrate their work into the Comprehensive Plan process.

The study will begin by meeting with Town officials and community leaders to go over the scope of the project.

Followed by a data collection and analysis period. A small number of interviews will be conducted with local business owners.

Urban Partners states that the study will concentrate on these economic sectors: Retail – Residential – Office – Industrial – Cultural Arts & Entertainment - Hotel

Sometime early this summer, they will present a preliminary report to the Planning Commission for review.

This report will contain specific economic policy recommendations that will be incorporated into the Comprehensive Plan document, and much of the information collected will be used to help at the stage of the plan when land uses are allocated on the Plan map.