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Simsbury staff issues RFQs to prequalify on‑call third‑party reviewers for complex applications
Summary
Town staff issued requests for qualifications to create a shortlist of engineering and environmental consultants available on call to expedite third‑party reviews for large or complex development applications; applicants will pay review costs as part of the process.
Staff told the commission that the town issued requests for qualifications (RFQs) to assemble on‑call lists of third‑party consultants—covering traffic, stormwater, general engineering, and wetlands/environmental expertise—to speed reviews of complex development applications. The move follows recent large projects where the need for external peer review surfaced late in the process.
Staff said the selection will be based on qualifications; the town plans to enter on‑call contracts with two to three firms in each discipline so it can quickly scope a review and request proposals when the commission or staff determines a peer review is necessary. Staff noted the third‑party review cost is borne by the applicant and that the contracts will allow staff to define scopes quickly and issue the review assignment on short notice.
Commissioners asked about how ‘complex application’ is defined; staff said for zoning matters the town code uses thresholds such as 100,000 square feet or 100 parking spaces as triggers for a complex review. Staff said the goal is a faster turnaround and clearer expectations on scope and budget for applicants.
The commission expressed support for the effort to prequalify reviewers and expedite peer review when needed.
