I. Introduction
The Town of Bennett is seeking proposals from qualified and experienced long-range
planning firms to develop a comprehensive Sub-Area Plan south of I-70 currently in
varying phases of development potential. This Sub-Area Plan will guide future growth
for the Town in this area, facilitate development, and public investments over the next
10-20 years, ensuring that the area evolves in a manner consistent with the Town's
overall vision and goals. Planning principles from the current comprehensive plan will be
incorporated into the sub-area plan and align with the current town vision.
II. Project Overview
The Sub-Area Plan will focus on the area south of the current Town boundaries at Exit
304 also identified as Annexation Priority Area 3 within the Town of Bennett’s current
comprehensive plan. This plan should address annexation potentials, potential zoning
and land use areas, economic development, transportation, utilities, open space,
affordable housing potentials, urban design and character.
The planning process should be inclusive, engaging a wide range of stakeholders,
including residents, businesses, property owners, service providers, and public officials.
Components surrounding future infrastructure needs of the sub-area plan will be input
into the Town’s GIS system and Capital Asset Inventory Master Plan(CAIMP).
III. Scope of Services
The selected firm will be responsible for the following tasks:
Project Management
Assign a dedicated project manager who serves as the main point of contact.
Develop a detailed project timeline with milestones and deliverables.
Coordinate regular meetings with Town Staff, Town Planning Commission, Town
Board, and other relevant stakeholders.
Prepare and submit progress reports to the town at regular intervals.
Existing Conditions Analysis and Reporting
Conduct a comprehensive analysis of the existing conditions within the sub-area,
including land use, zoning, infrastructure, transportation, housing, environmental
assets, and economic conditions.
Review relevant existing plans, policies, and studies that impact the sub-area.
Deliver a final report to staff summarizing the findings of the existing conditions
analysis.
Community Engagement
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Develop and implement a robust community engagement strategy to ensure
meaningful input from residents, businesses, and other stakeholders.
Facilitate workshops, public meetings, and focus groups to gather feedback and
build consensus.
Use innovative engagement tools such as online surveys, interactive maps, and
social media to reach a broader audience.
Document all community input and incorporate it into the planning process.
The process should include a minimum of two (2) community engagement efforts
with the Board of Trustees, Planning and Zoning.
Visioning and Goal Setting
Facilitate a visioning process to define the desired future for the sub-area.
Collaborate with stakeholders to establish clear and achievable goals for the
plan.
Ensure that the vision and goals align with the Town’s Comprehensive Plan and
overall strategic objectives.
Plan Development
Develop land use and zoning recommendations that reflect the vision and goals
for the sub-area.
Identify opportunities for economic development, including potential commercial
and mixed-use areas.
Create strategies to address housing needs, including affordable housing
options.
Develop a transportation plan that enhances connectivity, accessibility, and
mobility within the sub-area.
Propose public infrastructure improvements, such as parks, public spaces,
utilities, and streetscapes.
Address environmental sustainability, including strategies for stormwater
management, green infrastructure, and preservation of natural resources.
Integrate community character and place-making principles into the plan.
Provide connectivity to Bennett and Adams County infrastructure on the north
side of I-70 as applicable.
Implementation Plan
Develop an actionable implementation plan, including timelines, priorities,
funding strategies, and responsible parties.
Incorporate these planning efforts into CAIMP
Identify potential sources of funding and partnerships to support the plan’s
implementation.
Prepare metrics for monitoring progress and evaluating the success of the plan
over time.
Draft and Final Sub-Area Plan
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Prepare a draft version of the Sub-Area Plan for review by Town staff.
Revise the draft based on feedback received during the review process.
Present the final Sub-Area Plan to the Town Board for adoption.
Provide digital and hard copies of the final plan, along with all supporting
materials and data.
IV. Deliverables
While the sub-area plan will result in its documentation materials, final efforts to the
work will result in the sub-area plan being incorporated into the Town of Bennett’s
Comprehensive Plan Update in 2025. The large-scale zoning boundaries will be added
to the Town Centre Land Use Concept Plan in the update, appropriate sub-area
language, and other updates for catalyst actions.
The firm will be expected to provide the following deliverables:
Existing Conditions Report
Community Engagement Summary Report
Vision and Goals Document
Draft Sub-Area Plan
Final Sub-Area Plan
Implementation Strategy
All associated maps, illustrations, and supporting documents
V. Qualifications
The Town of Bennett is seeking a firm with the following qualifications:
Proven experience in developing sub-area plans or similar planning projects for
municipalities.
Expertise in land use planning, transportation planning, housing, economic
development, and environmental sustainability.
Demonstrated ability to engage diverse stakeholders and build consensus.
Strong project management skills and the ability to meet deadlines.
Familiarity with local, state, and federal planning regulations and requirements.
VI. Proposal Submission Requirements
Interested firms should submit the following information as part of their proposal:
A cover letter summarizing the firm's interest and qualifications.
A detailed proposal outlining the firm’s approach to the scope of services.
Resumes of key personnel who will be involved in the project.
Examples of previous sub-area plans or similar projects completed by the firm.
A proposed timeline and budget for completing the project.
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References from previous clients for similar projects.
VII. Selection Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
Qualifications and experience of the firm and project team.
Understanding of the project and proposed approach.
Quality and relevance of previous work.
Community engagement strategy.
Proposed timeline and budget.
References and past performance.
VIII. Budget
This planning effort is being funded through a grant from DOLA and the Town’s budget
for the efforts should not exceed $50,000. Firms should propose outcomes based on
this budget and maximize efforts for efficient outcomes.
