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HomeMy WebLinkAbout8A - Downtown Design Guidelines MEETING DATE: AGENDA #: PREPARED BY: AGENDA ITEM: DISCUSSION: 16200 Eagle Creek Avenue S.E. Prior Lake, MN 55372-1714 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AGENDA REPORT DECEMBER 18, 2006 SA PAUL SNOOK, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR CONSIDER RECOMMENDATION TO CITY COUNCIL TO EXECUTE THE CITY'S STANDARD PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH HAY DOBBS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF DOWNTOWN ILLUSTRATED DESIGN GUIDELINES Introduction The Economic Development Authority is asked to make recommendation to the City Council to execute the City's Standard Professional Services Agreement with Hay Dobbs to develop downtown illustrated design guidelines and assist in amending the C-3 Zone design standards in Prior Lake City Code Section 1102.1100 to reflect the new design guidelines. The reason for this action is that the existing C-3 design standards are too ambiguous with regard to traditional downtown building design, and developing an illustrated design guidelines and amending the C-3 zone design standards will strengthen the overall building design standards for downtown, and provide the clarity needed in order for property owners, developers and city staff to proceed with downtown development and redevelopment in a quality and efficient manner in terms of design and customer service. This is important in light of the heightened interest in downtown development and redevelopment. Histol"\l At their July 20, 2006 meeting, the Economic Development Advisory Committee unanimously moved to recommend that a qualified consultant be retained to develop downtown illustrated design guidelines and assist in amending the C-3 Zone design standards to reflect the new guidelines. Per the Economic Development Advisory Committee's recommendation, the Economic Development Authority at their September 2006 meeting authorized the selection of a consultant through issuing a Request for Proposals, and prepare such recommendation for consideration by the City Council. Current Circumstances Requests for Proposals were developed and provided to numerous design professionals as well as the Minnesota Chapters of both the American Institute of Architects and the American Planning Association. Four proposals were received, from Hay- Dobbs, Landform, McKenna Associates and Petit & Associates. Staff and the Chair of the Economic Development Advisory Committee reviewed the proposals and narrowed them to two firms to interview: Hay -Dobbs and Landform. Based upon the proposals and the interviews, it is recommended that Hay www.cityofpriorlake.com Phone 952.447.4230 / Fax 952.447.4245 Dobbs be retained to develop the downtown design guidelines. Hay Dobbs' proposal and subsequent interview revealed that they are qualified to deliver precise and clear illustrated guidelines, communicating building proportion, massing, color, details, materials and composition with high quality graphics and related narrative. Conclusion The Economic Development Authority should recommend that City Council authorize the execution of the City's Standard Professional Services Agreement with Hay Dobbs to develop downtown illustrated design guidelines and assist in amending the C-3 Zone design standards to reflect the new design guidelines. ISSUES: The work contemplated is a professional service, and therefore qualification criteria in addition to cost may be considered in the selection process. Landform proposed $12,690 to complete the work. A review of similar work by Landform does not exhibit the experience in expression of detailed building fayade design and related graphics we are seeking in a downtown design guidelines. Moreover, Lanform is comprised primarily of land planners that produce master planning, and not architects whose building design services are needed to complete this work. Barry Petit & Associates proposed to complete the work for $14,500. Mr. Petit's proposal is not complete enough to evaluate his capacity to accomplish the work. The EDA and City Council should be aware that by approving this contract it is acknowledging that the existing design standards of the downtown zoning ordinance are ambiguous, that there is not adequate graphic representation of the design standards for downtown buildings, and that a new design guidelines and standards will provide greater clarity and direction with regard to design of buildings in the downtown district, which ultimately is in keeping with Downtown Redevelopment element of the 2030 Vision and Strategic Plan. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The cost of retaining Hay Dobbs to develop the illustrated design guidelines is $16.700. Funds are available from the professional services portion of the economic development budget. ALTERNATIVES: 1. Offer and pass a motion recommending that the City Council execute the City's Standard Professional Services Agreement with Hay Dobbs to develop downtown illustrated design guidelines and assist in amending the C-3 Zone design standards to reflect the new design guidelines 2. Defer for a specific reason RECOMMENDED MOTION: Alternative 1. ATTACHMENTS I EXHIBITS: ReviewfJ'y 1 -~,. "- Frank Boyles, Ve*tive Director