Item 16 - Comprehensive Zoning Code Update

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Comprehensive Zoning Code Update October 17, 2023 Page 2 required. Necessary amendments include the creation of new zoning district designations and corresponding development standards; updates to the definitions, signage, nonconforming, and parking sections; reorganization of the entire Zoning Code to a more user-friendly format; and new standards to reflect new land use trends, economic development trends, and land use goals of the City. Background and Selection Planning Division staff released two requests for proposals (RFPs) to solicit services for the comprehensive update of the zoning code in August of 2021 (in anticipation of the General Plan adoption) and November of 2022 (after adoption of the General Plan) respectively, that were initially unsuccessful in soliciting adequate responses that met the City's needs. Those efforts resulted in one proposal submitted by the same consulting firm for each RFP. As a result, the procurement processes were non- competitive and halted due to there being only one proposal. Planning staff contacted numerous planning firms in an effort to determine the cause of the limited interest and proposals for these RFPs. Based on the feedback received, staff revised the listed tasks and deliverables in a third RFP and increased the RFP release time to 60 days to allow for more thorough responses to be submitted. RFP No. 23-010 was advertised on February, 21, 2023, on the City's online bid and management publication system, PlanetBids, inviting qualified consulting firms with relevant experience to submit their proposals to the City. A summary of RFP vendor participation and results is as follows: • Vendors notified: 362 • Vendors based in Santa Ana: 3 • Vendors downloaded the bid packet: 29 • Bids Received: 4 • Bids received from Santa Ana vendors: 0 Proposals were solicited, opened on April 13, 2023, and evaluated. Four proposals were submitted by the RFP deadline and all were determined to be responsive. The City formed a selection committee consisting of staff members from the City Manager's Office, Planning and Building Agency, Public Works Agency, and Community Development Agency. The selection committee evaluated the proposals and interviewed the firms prior to making the final selection. The selected firm, MIG, will provide the Comprehensive Zoning Code Update, which involves making changes to Chapter 41 and the other sections in the Municipal Code that cross-reference or relate to land use and zoning to ensure internal consistency within the Santa Ana Municipal Code and address the aforementioned needed amendments.