Council hires Houseal Levin to update Sunnyvale comprehensive plan; contract not to exceed $260,000

The Sunnyvale Town Council on Monday approved a professional services agreement with the planning and urban design firm Houseal Levin to update the town’s comprehensive land use plan. The contract is not to exceed $260,000 and spans fiscal years 2025–26.

Staff said updating the 2017 comprehensive plan is a strategic priority and cited substantial regional change since adoption. Staff explained the contract includes an existing-conditions analysis, public engagement with an online mapping tool and story map, scenario and policy development, an implementation/action matrix, and a zoning/Unified Development Ordinance audit to bridge plan recommendations to regulatory changes.

Josh Kutz, proposed project lead from Houseal Levin, presented the firm’s experience — nearly 300 comprehensive plans and a national portfolio — and demonstrated outreach tools the firm will deploy, including a project website, interactive mapping and in-person workshops. Staff noted a draft schedule of about 16 months, with flexibility between 12 and 18 months depending on outreach and complexity.

Council members asked about deliverables, how the town would measure whether the plan is used, and whether the scope includes a zoning audit. Kutz said the work includes an implementation-oriented action matrix that can be used by staff and council to track priorities, and the scope does include a regulatory audit (not a full zoning rewrite) to identify mismatches between vision and current zoning.

Town staff clarified a packet caption originally referenced a larger number; the contract and attached exhibits show a not-to-exceed fee of $252,210 plus a $7,000 story map component, yielding a total not-to-exceed amount of $259,210. Council approved a rounded not-to-exceed motion for $260,000 to give administrative flexibility.

Councilmember Allen moved to approve; Mayor Pro Tem Clark seconded. The motion passed 6-0.