Town to put out RFP for zoning, Comp Plan review

The Longboat Key Town Commission reached consensus to direct town staff to put out a request for proposals to determine the scope of work for a possible review of its zoning code and Comprehensive Plan at a Wednesday, April 11 workshop.

Commissioners had heard a presentation in January from the not-for-profit Urban Land Institute, which proposed organizing a five-day panel of various professionals including developers, bankers, brokers, market analysts, architects, planners and public officials that would provide a report at a total cost of $125,000. The commission discussed the possibility of working with the ULI or a university, along with the option of soliciting bids from the private sector through an RFP.

Town Attorney David Persson told the commission that it could hire a non-profit, such as the ULI, immediately but would need to put the project out to bid if it wanted to hire a private firm.

Commissioners discussed hiring a consultant but after listening to the discussion, Town Manager David Bullock told them the town should issue an RFP.

“We just need to issue an RFP in the simplest and most straightforward way,” he said. “We don’t even know the description of the work a consultant would do.”

Five commissioners consented to move forward with an RFP. Vice Mayor David Brenner and Commissioner Phill Younger dissented.

For more information, pick up an April 19 copy of the Longboat Observer.

Contact Robin Hartill at [email protected].