Date of Issue: Monday, April 1, 2024

Due Date: Thursday, May 2, 2024 by 12:00 pm

 

Purpose of the RFP:  The Town of Freeport is seeking proposals from interested professional services/consulting firms to assist the Town with updating its Design Review Ordinance.   The consultant would draft proposed amendments to the Design Review Ordinance, and/or draft a completely new ordinance, to include: clear and prescriptive standards; standards that would consider modern day technologies, materials and Code requirements; an efficient and streamlined review processes; and, an update the Design Review District(s) map (as applicable).

 

The desired outcome for this update is increased predictability for Town Board members and applicants based on clear, objective review standards. The Design Review Ordinance (“Ordinance”) was originally created in 1983 in response to sudden growth and redevelopment in Downtown Freeport.  The purpose of the Ordinance “…is to promote the educational, cultural, economic and general welfare of the Town of Freeport, to provide for the protection and preservation of buildings, structures and places of historic value, and to promote design which is compatible with the present character of Freeport, pursuant to the provisions of Title 30-A M.R.S. Section 3001 as amended.” Until recently, the Design Review Ordinance has remained relatively similar since its original adoption, with the exception of a second District that was added in 2007.  Overall, many in the Community feel that the Ordinance has been largely effective in retaining the historic charm of a downtown New England Village.

 

The purpose of this proposed project would be to assist the Town in updating the current Design Review Ordinance.  This would include assisting the Planning Board to lead important community conversations on items such as, but not limited to: performance standards, acceptable building and site design features, district boundaries, and demolition practices.  Using the information from those important community conversations—and from the recently completed Downtown Vision Plan  (as it aligns with our current Comprehensive Plan), the consultant would draft proposed amendments to the Design Review Ordinance to include: clear and prescriptive standards using a combination of text and graphics; standards that would consider modern day technologies, materials and Code requirements; an efficient and streamlined review processes; and, an update the Design Review District(s) map (as applicable).

 

Firms will be evaluated based on the selection process and evaluation criteria described in this Request for Proposal (RFP). Upon completing an interview process and a check of references, the Town will enter into an agreement with the qualified and selected firm to render the services described.

 

For a link to the complete RFP, please visit the RFP page of the Town’s website at https://www.freeportmaine.com/rfps

 

Caroline Pelletier

Town of Freeport

30 Main Street

Freeport, ME 04032

207-865-4743 ext. 107