Organization
Lower Merion Township, Montgomery County, PA
RFP Description
The Township of Lower Merion is inviting qualified planning consultants, urban designers and multi-disciplinary firms/teams to submit a written proposal in response to this Request for Proposals to revise the Township’s zoning code. The goal is to create an innovative code that incorporates concepts embodied in Traditional Neighborhood Developments and Smart Growth principles. While not directly the focus of this Scope of Work, this new Code will need to work with other existing development related codes. Consultants and firm/teams should be particularly experienced with residential infill and managing the evolution of long-standing, established institutional uses surrounded by developed residential neighborhoods. The Township anticipates starting in late 2016 or early 2017 and expects a draft zoning code within 18 months of the project’s start date.
The existing code includes 26 individual districts and five (5) overlays, including 10 residence districts, 11 commercial/mixed-use districts, one manufacturing/mixed-use district and four medical districts. Overlays include regulations to address floodplains, open space and historic resources. This township-wide rezoning project is the largest planning initiative recently undertaken by the community and it is the direct result of a multi-year, community driven, comprehensive planning process. The new zoning code may use and/or adapt appropriate elements from the existing code. However, it must create a comprehensive set of land use rules for the 21st century so that it can advance the vision and achieve the goals presented in the 2016 Comprehensive Plan.
Contract Term
Lower Merion Township will enter into a contract (likely two years with an option for a one- year extension) with the successful consultant to rewrite the zoning code in accordance with the Scope of Work detailed below. The contract will also cover additional work that may be required to assist during the implementation process.
Key Deliverables
- New Zoning Code
- New Zoning Map
- A concise, clear equivalency tool, and other appropriate informational/educational
Important Dates
Change in the Proposal Due Date:
Original Proposal Due Date: Friday, October 28, 2016, No Later Than 3:00 PM EST.
New Proposal Due Date: Friday, November 11, 2016, No Later Than 3:00 PM EST.
Contact
Christopher Leswing, P.P., A.I.C.P.
Lower Merion Township, Building & Planning Department
75 E. Lancaster Avenue
Ardmore, PA 19003
Phone: (610) 645-6116
LMTrezoning@lowermerion.org
