Zoning and Subdivision/ Land Development Ordinances Revision
The City of Del Rio, Texas
Submittal Deadline: April 30, 2008

The City of Del Rio is requesting qualifications for consultants for planning services. The project will include the preparation and revision of the development ordinances for the city including, but not limited to, the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances in order to have our development regulations consistent with the newly adopted City Master Plan.

Community and Project Information
The City of Del Rio is a rapidly growing community of over 36,000 people located in Val Verde County on the United States-Mexico border. The US Census Bureau reported the median family income for Del Rio as $27,387 with the median age of persons being 31.7 years.

The Del Rio community is recognized for being home to Laughlin AFB, one of five USAF pilot training facilities, Lake Amistad National Recreation Area, which is well known for being one of the best bass fishing destinations in the country, and the San Felipe Springs, the forth largest spring in the state of Texas. The area's major employers are from the public sector such as, the Border Patrol, the Air Force Base, and the San Felipe Del Rio School District.

Urban sprawl, development around Laughlin AFB and protecting the San Felipe Springs are all issues which will be important when creating effective Zoning and Subdivision/Land Development ordinances.

As mentioned above, the City recently adopted a Comprehensive Master Plan giving the community a shared vision for our future development. We are now in the process of implementing the recommendations from the Master Plan to include revising our Zoning and Subdivision/Land Development ordinances.

Scope of Services
The City of Del Rio is requesting qualifications from qualified firms with expertise in planning and consultation services for the drafting, revising, preparing, amending, rewriting and implementation of the City's Zoning and Subdivision/Development Ordinance. The consultant should be familiar with Texas law as it pertains to land use, municipal authority and the Texas Local Government Code 212 and 232 pertaining to development of colonias. Consultants should be able to provide a clear and concise demonstration of their capability to assist staff with diagnosing the existing zoning code, developing a new zoning code, and assist with community visioning, outreach and education.

The scope of services to be provided by the consultant shall include, but not to be limited to, the elements defined in this RFQ. This is a guide to prospective consultants and consultant creativity and ideas on approaches for strengthening the planning process will be considered. The City expects an ordinance tailored to need the specific needs and unique circumstances of the City of Del Rio. Becoming familiar with the City of Del Rio Comprehensive Master Plan and existing ordinances will be important for efficiency and optimum success.

Below is a list of some of the specific ordinances the City is interested in revising during this ordinance revision process. The City reserves the right to amend this list if needed.

• Zoning Districts
• Historic Preservation Ordinance
• Cell Towers
• Sign Ordinance
• Corridor Enabling Ordinance
• Mixed Use Ordinance
• Subdivision Ordinance
• Landscape Ordinance
• Master Plan Submittals
• Preliminary and Final Plats
• Loading Zones
• Drainage Ordinance
• Drought Management Plan

Selection Process Calendar
The calendar for the selection process is as follows. The city reserves the right to modify the selection process calendar.

The City of Del Rio requires professional liability insurance for firms with which it contracts and you must state coverage's and amounts. Identify firm's executives who have current claims or who have participated in litigation against the City of Del Rio while with another. Firms currently under litigation with the City or whose executives have been in litigation with the City may not be considered for this project.

The City of Del Rio reserves the right to reject any and all statements of qualifications if it deems in the best interest of the City.

Deadline for submission of five copies of the qualifications is Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at 3:00 PM. The qualifications should be clearly marked "LAND DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE REVISIONS" and should be sent to Ms. Linda Weaver, City Secretary, at 109 W. Broadway Street, Del Rio, Texas 78840. If you have any questions about this request for qualifications, contact Janice Pokrant, City Planner at jpokrant@cityofdelrio.com or Larry Allen, Chief Building Official, at lallen@cityofdelrio.com. A free copy of the pertinent sections of the City's Master Plan and Code of Ordinances is available upon request at the City of Del Rio Planning/Code Compliance office at 114 West Martin Street, Del Rio, Texas.