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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPhase II Draft Scope of Work 1 LOCAL COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE: PHASE 2 DRAFT SCOPE OF WORK INTRODUCTION The Town of Barnstable is updating its Local Comprehensive Plan (LCP). The Plan will set out a vision for growth and development, land use, infrastructure, and resource protection for this distinctive community, as well as a targeted action plan to guide our future work and resource allocation. The Town last updated its LCP in 2010; significant changes to capital infrastructure plans, as well as the need to address a housing crisis and the impacts of climate change are propelling the need for widespread public engagement and an updated plan. The Town began the LCP process through the development of a community vision statement and an existing conditions report (Phase 1). This request for consultant support is for the second phase of development of the plan: a future land use plan, as well as topic-specific goals, strategies, actions, and performance measures. The Town of Barnstable is seeking to develop its plan in accordance with the Cape Cod Commission’s (CCC) (Regional Planning Agency) regulations for Local Comprehensive Plan development. Unlike other communities in Massachusetts, municipalities within Barnstable County develop plans in accordance with these regulations in order to pursue regional certification of their plans by the Commission. The Commission’s LCP Regulations (developed pursuant to the CCC Act) require six minimum plan elements: a Vision Statement; an existing conditions overview; planning and land use goals consistent with the 15 goals identified in the Cape Cod Regional Policy Plan; a capital facilities plan; a housing plan; and a targeted action plan. The CCC’s LCP regulations require the plan to be approved by the Barnstable Town Council, in addition to certification by the Commission. The Town has appointed a Local Comprehensive Planning Committee (LCPC) to guide development of the plan (appointed by the Town Manager, with membership ratified by the Town Council). Staff from the Town of Barnstable’s Planning & Development Department is providing technical support for development of the plan. The Town project team includes continuous participation by the Planning & Development Department Director, Assistant Director, Senior Planner, Principal Planner, and Community & Economic Development Coordinator, as well as supporting staff and participation from staff in other Town Departments as necessary. We also anticipate working with staff at the Cape Cod Commission on plan development. PLANNING CONTEXT The Town of Barnstable has seven villages, each with its own character, history and land use and growth objectives. The successful proposer will work to map future land use, growth, transportation and resource protection scenarios that recognize these distinctions, but produces a unified roadmap for the Town’s future. Comprehensive Wastewater Management and Water Quality The Town of Barnstable is currently implementing a Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan (CWMP), developed in response to regulatory requirements to reduce nutrient loading in our watersheds. Protecting and restoring our water quality was a key priority identified in the “vision” stage of the process. The Town’s marine, fresh, and groundwater resources are at the core of our identity and economy and they have been degraded by septic systems that serve sprawling development patterns. The CWMP 2 calls for the installation of public sewers to 11,800 properties over thirty years. Parallel to this effort, the Town seeks to engage the community in an LCP update that recognizes the need and opportunity for integrated planning for water resources (marine, freshwater, groundwater, stormwater) and associated opportunities for ecological restoration. The Town also seeks to anticipate, guide, and control community impacts from expansion of infrastructure and establish a community-supported balance of growth and resource protection with particular attention to the character of all seven villages. Housing The Town’s housing market is facing tremendous pressure and the need for housing across all levels of affordability is at crisis levels. Developing community-based strategies for affordable and middle income housing retention and production is a central priority for the Town. The LCP is the document that will address community concerns about appropriate allocation of new housing supply, as well as establish guidance to ensure any new growth with not erode highly valued village and community character. Climate Resiliency Town of Barnstable is located at the center of the Cape Cod peninsula and has 170 miles of coastline, 1,868 acres of open water, 3,817 acres of salt marsh and approximately 8,000 acres in a flood zone. The Town must consider all aspects of a long-term land use policy through the lens of coastal and climate resiliency. This topic was given limited attention in past Local Comprehensive Plans. The Town has conducted various efforts around education, advocacy, resource evaluation, and infrastructure response related to climate resiliency, but fully integrating climate resiliency into long-range land use and infrastructure planning is priority for this LCP update. WORK TO DATE Extensive community engagement conducted by the LCPC and staff supported the development of the plan’s “vision statement”. The vision statement represents a foundation of shared values on which the remainder of the plan will be built. The existing conditions report provides an overview of built, natural, and community systems in Barnstable, and is accompanied by supporting data sheets. Associated maps and resources, including an evaluation of the 2010 LCP, is available to the Local Comprehensive Planning Committee, staff, and the selected consultant to guide discussion in the next phas e. A project website has been developed and is managed by Town staff. Town staff has also established a newsletter and communications framework for the project. SCOPE OF WORK The Town seeks proposals from qualified firms for the second phase of the Loca l Comprehensive Plan update. This Town seeks support with the design and implementation of a consensus-based process that will balance the needs of the community and produce a future land use plan that includes goals and implementation strategies in associated issue areas. Phase II of this project will build on the outreach, existing conditions, and vision statement crafted in Phase I. This phase will revisit each of the chapters of the 2010 Local Comprehensive Plan, ensuring that each “issue area” within the Cape Cod Commission Regional Policy Plan is incorporated. The Town will provide extensive staff time in support of the scope of work. The Town welcomes collaboration among firms and the submission of a “team” response based on the various expert areas described herein. 3 The Town welcomes proposals that modify these tasks with supporting discussion from the proposer clearly articulating the desirability and function of the alternative tasks and the relevance to and expediency for accomplishing the Town’s goals. For each “Chapter” staff envisions the following general process for each topic. This framework is subject to change based on the experience and advice from the selected respondent, as well as feedback from the Local Comprehensive Planning Committee:  An overview of public comments and existing conditions from Phase I as they relate to the topic (by Town staff)  An overview of the 2010 LCP on the topic (Town and village), as well as an overview and status of other contributing plans (by Town staff)  An outside “expert” in the topic, as it specifically relates to Barnstable, to provide an overview of issues, plus support from a designated staff person on the topic to identify municipal needs  A consultant facilitated discussion with the LCPC to develop Goals, Strategies, Actions, and Performance Measures  A public review comment period In addition, the overall process may include:  Approximately two public meetings in each of the seven villages to review Phase II progress. Town staff will provide support for arranging and attending these meetings. (Meeting design will be supported by consultant)  Approximately two to three town-wide public meetings (meeting designed and staffed by consultant and by town staff) This process should produce a plan that includes the following required elements of a Local Comprehensive Plan: Issues & Needs Identification of issues and needs for each topic area, derived from Phase I outreach, data collection, existing conditions, 2010 evaluations (by staff) and supplemented by input from experts and appropriate town staff. Goals, Objectives, Actions Long-range planning and land use goals for the Town of Barnstable and its seven villages, consistent with the vision statement, which serves as a foundation from which objectives, actions and benchmarks can be derived. The development of each goal will be informed by the vision statement, the existing conditions report, a further assessment of future needs and challenges as necessary, and community input and prioritization. Each goal shall be accompanied by measurable objectives that support achieving the goal. The organization of these sections shall take into account the need to plan comprehensively for the Town of Barnstable and respect and preserve the unique character of its seven villages. Priority Work Plan Identification of actions the Town can undertake to achieve the vision and goals defined within the LCP. Each action in the priority work plan shall have a timeframe, a priority, and an identified implementation lead. The action plan shall include implementation items such as the need for additional planning or study of specific geographic areas or issues, the potential need for regulatory changes or use of other tools, the 4 need to prioritize capital investments, etc. Recommendations should draw on existing data, best practices, and experiences from communities similar to Barnstable. Performance Measures and Benchmarks Development of strategies to measure progress on achieving the goals of the plan, as well as the development of strategies and tools to sustain and monitor plan implementation. This section should include recommendations for ongoing public engagement and communication strategies. 5 OVERVIEW OF 2010 LCP CHAPTERS AND ASSOCIATED ISSUE AREAS Land Use: Future Land Use Mapping  Development of a future land use map, taking into account factors such as buildout expectations, market demand, community desired rate of development by village, establishment of land use categories or transects, priorities for preservation, housing needs, and business growth. Natural Resources  Water Resources. Land use strategies supporting the Town’s marine, freshwater, wetlands, stormwater, and groundwater resources, and floodplains.  Open Space & Recreation. Including habitat, coastal vulnerabilities, preservation and recreational values. Facilities & Infrastructure  Transportation  Capital Facilities (Water/Sewer/Wastewater), as they relate to future land use, development, economic development, and the environment.  Energy  Waste Economic Development Culture, Heritage, and Design  Historic Preservation & Design, including preserving community and village character.  Health, including the connection between land use planning with healthy communities.  Community Building (social infrastructure) and Communication. 6 Timeline All work is expected to be completed within an 18 month period from the time the contract is signed. Schedule shall take into consideration the seasonal nature of the Barnstable economy, and how it impacts the ability to perform outreach to various stakeholder groups, and in particular traditionally underrepresented groups. Deliverable Product The deliverable product(s) shall include:  Project timeline and work plan (internal).  Future Land Use Plan Maps and associated narrative addressing, geographically, the desires of the community for land use, growth, preservation, and resource protection and enhancement for the Town of Barnstable and its seven villages.  Goals, Objectives, and Actions. Development of a written plan reflecting long-range planning and land use goals for the Town of Barnstable and its seven villages, including each of the issue areas identified above. The report shall be presented in an engaging, understandable, and potentially interactive format.  Priority Work Plan.  Identification of Performance Measures/Benchmarks.  Attendance at one internal Phase II kickoff meeting with staff to review scope, timeframe, deliverables, and periodic project check-ins as cooperatively determined.  Attendance at monthly in-person LCPC meeting.  Attendance at monthly internal meeting in preparation for each LCPC meeting.  Community engagement materials for two rounds of village-based meetings.  Community engagement materials for two to three Town-wide meetings, plus attendance and facilitation of meetings. Final plan composition and formatting will be completed under separate contract.