Agenda Item Wording:
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Minter Harnish Development Standards Contract - Authorize the City Manager to award a sole source contract with Mintier Harnish in amount to not exceed $30,000 for the preparation of Objective Design Standards for Single-Family Development and appropriate up to $30,000 from the General Fund.
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Deadline for Action: 2/5/2024
Submitting Department: Community Development
Contact Name and Phone Number:
Brandon Smith, Principal Planner, brandon.smith@visalia.city <mailto:brandon.smith@visalia.city>, (559) 713-4636
Paul Bernal, Planning and Community Preservation Development Director, paul.bernal@vislia.city <mailto:paul.bernal@vislia.city>, (559)713-4025
Department Recommendation:
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to award a sole source contract with Mintier Harnish in an amount not to exceed $30,000 for the preparation of Objective Design Standards for Single-Family Development as outlined in the Scope of Work attached as Exhibit “A”, and to appropriate $30,000 from the General Fund for the preparation of Objective Design Standards for Single-Family Development for the City of Visalia.
Background on Original Scope of Work with Mintier Harnish:
The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) announced the release of the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for approximately $119,040,000 as part of the Local Early Action Planning Grants Program (LEAP). On June 29, 2021, the City received notification that the Community Development Department was approved for funding and a conditional commitment of an award in the full amount of $246,000. As part of the LEAP grant, Planning staff identified three projects: 6th Cycle Housing Element Update, Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Ordinance update, and Planned Unit Development Ordinance update, all of which assist with streamlining housing approvals.
The update to the City of Visalia’s Planned Unit Development (PUD) Ordinance is needed given current growth and development trends which developers are seeking ways to maximize density by implementing various design techniques including “cluster” housing units, reduced number of units on street frontages, and incorporation of private open space. To ensure that future residential PUD’s can be analyzed and evaluated based on a set of reliable codified design standards that are in keeping with the PUD Ordinance objectives, an update to this section of the Zoning Ordinance ensures that developers have a clear understanding on the development standards required of these unique projects that seek to develop housing units at a higher density range.
On November 11, 2022, the City Council authorized the execution of a contract with Mintier Harnish for the preparation of both the ADU and PUD Zoning ordinance updates using the LEAP grant to fund these ordinance updates.
Separate Task for Preparation of Single-Family Objective Standards
The City Council directed staff to consider initiating potential updates for traditional single-family development design standards following a work session on January 31, 2022 regarding SB 9, and following a work session on July 18, 2022, that followed City Council review of a recent subdivision map associated with an annexation initiation request.
As part of the consultant consultation following entering into contract with Mintier Harnish, staff asked if they were able to prepare a separate scope of work and budget for the preparation of objective design standards for Single-Family Residential zoned properties. The request was made based on the similarity in nature to the proposed Zoning Ordinance updates, which primarily revolve around design issues such as setbacks, parking, lot sizes, and open space standards for residential developments.
Mintier Harnish prepared a work plan and budget amount that evaluates existing City zoning regulations and development standards pertaining to single-family residential development. The total cost to do this additional work in addition to the updates to the ADU and PRD ordinances is $30,000. Mintier Harnish is progressing with updates to the ADU and PUD ordinances under the LEAP grant and awarding this additional task helps in delivery design standards that can be implemented on future housing developments.
Fiscal Impact:
Staff is recommending to appropriate $30,000 from the General Fund to the current CIP 1010-72000/CP0597-999. The project will require staff time from existing in-house City staff to manage the consultant and assist with providing data.
Prior Council Action:
• On January 31, 2022, the City Council received a presentation from staff regarding the States adoption of Senate Bill 9 regarding “by-right” owner lot splits and ADU development.
• On July 18, 2022, the City Council received a staff presentation of current zoning codified development standards related to traditional R-1-5 single-family residential subdivisions.
• On November 11, 2022, the City Council authorized the execution of a contract with Mintier Harnish for the preparation of both the ADU and PUD Zoning ordinance updates using the LEAP grant to fund these ordinance updates.
Other: None.
Alternatives:
In lieu of the recommendation, the City Council may deny the request and direct staff to prepare Objective Design Standards for Single-Family Development.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to authorize the City Manager execute a sole source contract with Mintier Harnish in an amount not to exceed $30,000 to develop objective design standards for Single-Family Residential zoned properties as outlined in the Scope of Work attached as Exhibit “A”, and to appropriate $30,000 from the General Fund.
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Environmental Assessment Status:
No environmental assessment required at this time. The adoption of zoning ordinance updates will require CEQA documentation to be completed by City staff.
CEQA Review:
Not at this time. The adoption of the zoning ordinance updates will require CEQA documentation to be completed by City staff.
Attachments:
1. Exhibit “A” - Scope of Work and Budget