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Royal Oak hires Zoneco for comprehensive zoning rewrite in 19-month contract
Summary
The City Commission approved a $323,900 professional services agreement with Zoneco of Cincinnati to draft a comprehensive zoning ordinance over about 19 months; the work is budgeted at $325,000 this year, including a $50,000 state grant.
The Royal Oak City Commission approved a professional services agreement Jan. 12 to hire Zoneco of Cincinnati to write a new, comprehensive zoning ordinance estimated at $323,900, a process staff said will take roughly 19 months.
City staff presented the procurement process: the RFQ was distributed to 43 firms, nine firms responded to the RFQ, six were short-listed and three submitted full proposals; the Planning Commission interviewed the finalists and unanimously recommended Zoneco. Mr. Murphy, who led the presentation, said the contract price is $323,900 and that $325,000 is budgeted this fiscal year for the rewrite, including a $50,000 grant from the state of Michigan.
Commissioners asked about the role of local subcontractors and legal expertise in Michigan land-use law. Mr. Murphy said Zoneco will include local partners (Pure Architects and local legal counsel) on the team to provide form-based-code expertise, graphic representation and state land-use legal review. He emphasized the city lacks the in-house time and specialized expertise to complete a comprehensive rewrite on the desired schedule.
Commission debate focused on the need for outside expertise, the long-term benefits of aligning ordinance language with the adopted master plan, and expectations for public engagement and interim check-ins. Several commissioners noted the rewrite is the next major step following adoption of the master plan and welcomed the planned training and regular updates to avoid surprises.
Motion and vote: a commissioner moved and the commission approved the professional services agreement by voice vote. Staff said periodic check-ins and public workshops will be scheduled during the 19-month process, and the Planning Commission will ultimately recommend adoption of the new ordinance for the commission's consideration.
Next steps: staff will finalize the contract with Zoneco and begin the public outreach and code-drafting process; the Planning Commission will receive regular updates and training as the project proceeds.
