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Council awards $450,000 form‑based code contract to DPZ CoDesign after mixed public reaction
Summary
The council approved a $450,000 award to DPZ CoDesign to develop a form‑based code for the Northwest quadrant/downtown overlay after citizens gave both supportive and critical public comments about density, impact fees and infrastructure; council added direction for CRA involvement and directed staff to begin contract work.
The City Council of the City of Clermont voted to award an RFP and execute a contract with DPZ CoDesign LLC to develop and adopt a form‑based code for the downtown Northwest Quarter on Aug. 26, a step council members called long‑term and foundational for downtown redevelopment.
Councilmember (speaker 8) moved to approve the award and to direct staff to start contracting immediately; the motion carried 4–1 after public comment and discussion about scope and funding sources. Supporters in the audience said DPZ is a nationally recognized firm with deep experience in form‑based codes that emphasize walkability and mixed use; Anna Sinclair (speaker 21) told the council she strongly supported selecting the firm. Opponents at the podium raised concerns about downtown density, possible height increases and the need to ensure infrastructure work precedes any code changes, including water, sewer and parking.
Several residents cited the cost of small accessory dwelling units under current impact‑fee rules—one speaker said impact fees for a 750‑square‑foot ‘backyard cottage’ totaled about $19,000—and urged the council to consider reduced impact fees for infill and incentivized affordable units as the city rewrites its code. Councilmembers discussed budget timing, including that $150,000–$200,000 might be available in the current fiscal year to start work while the remainder is budgeted for the next year. Several council members urged bringing the CRA into funding conversations given downtown benefits.
Mayor (speaker 1) and staff emphasized that DPZ’s work will be community‑driven: the firm will test scenarios and arrive at form and height standards that reflect the public will. Councilmembers said they expected DPZ to recommend solutions that balance historic downtown character, infrastructure constraints, and the city’s long‑term redevelopment goals.
The motion as approved included direction for staff to proceed with contract execution and to coordinate funding and scope with the CRA and other stakeholders. No formal amendments to the RFP award amount were made; staff said they will return to the council with any contract documents for signature and with a project schedule.
