Farmington staff readies POCD rewrite RFP, seeks small interview panel for consultant selection

Town planning staff presented a draft request for proposals (RFP) to select a consultant to lead an update of Farmington’s Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD). The scope includes demographic and land‑use analysis, mapping, public engagement, and optional study work on transit‑oriented communities and planned housing development zones under the new Public Act 25‑1.

Shannon Rutherford outlined a draft schedule: post the RFP in early April, accept proposals for about a month, short‑list by staff, and conduct consultant interviews in late May or early June with an interview panel that would include three planning staff and three commission members (selected to reflect a 2:1 political ratio); the town council would approve the consultant selection. Rutherford said funding for the consultant is in the budget and the goal is to have a contract in place to start work in the new fiscal year.

Staff recommended limiting the interview short‑list to a manageable number of firms (three to five) and asked commissioners to indicate interest in serving on the selection panel. Commissioners discussed adding environmental resource inventory updates and potential special study areas (Yukon area, Unionville/Farmington centers) as optional tasks in the RFP. The planner said the POCD consultant will carry out public outreach and engagement and that the commission will remain the decision body for plan adoption.

Why it matters: the POCD guides municipal policies on land use, conservation, infrastructure and growth for the next decade; an updated plan can unlock state funding eligibility and provides the basis for zoning and investment decisions.

What’s next: staff to post the RFP, short‑list proposals and return to the commission at the April 27 meeting to announce a selection committee; interviews anticipated in late May/early June.