Request for Proposals - Ottawa County Comprehensive Plan Update

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Ottawa County Comprehensive Plan Update
Ottawa County, Ohio
Release Date: Monday, July 13, 2026
Due Date: Monday, August 3, 3036
Issuing Entity Ottawa County Regional Planning Commission
Primary Contact Mark Messa, Director
Email mmessa@co.ottawa.oh.us
Questions Due Monday, July 27, 2026 (9:00 AM)
Proposal Due Monday, August 3, 2026 (5:00 PM)
Anticipated Project Duration Approximately 12 to 18 months

Ottawa County Comprehensive Plan Update | Request for Proposals (July 2026)
I. Introduction
Ottawa County, Ohio is seeking proposals from qualified planning, engineering, economic development,
community development, and public engagement consulting firms to assist with the preparation of a new
Ottawa County Comprehensive Plan.
Ottawa County's existing comprehensive planning framework has not been substantially updated in
approximately 50 years. Since that time, the County has experienced significant changes in land use,
housing demand, infrastructure needs, economic development opportunities, tourism activity,
transportation patterns, environmental considerations, public services, and community expectations.
The purpose of this Request for Proposals is to identify a qualified consultant or consultant team capable of
leading a thoughtful, data-informed, community-driven planning process that will result in a practical and
implementable Comprehensive Plan for Ottawa County.
The selected consultant will work closely with Ottawa County leadership, the Ottawa County Improvement
Corporation, local jurisdictions, public agencies, business and industry representatives, residents, property
owners, and other stakeholders to create a long-range plan that reflects the County's unique identity,
challenges, and opportunities.
II. Background
Ottawa County is a rural coastal county located along Lake Erie in northwest Ohio. The County includes a
diverse mix of communities, townships, villages, islands, waterfront areas, agricultural land, industrial sites,
tourism destinations, natural resources, and small-town centers.
Although Ottawa County has a year-round population of approximately 43,000 residents, the County
experiences significant seasonal population growth due to tourism, boating, second homes, short-term
rentals, campgrounds, waterfront destinations, and visitors to Lake Erie and the Ohio Islands. This seasonal
activity creates economic opportunity, but also places pressure on public safety, infrastructure, housing,
land use, environmental resources, and local services.
The County is also facing major long-term planning questions related to workforce housing, industrial
development, utility capacity, redevelopment, tourism management, agricultural preservation,
transportation connectivity, coastal resiliency, public infrastructure, and quality of life.
Given the age of the existing plan and the scale of current and future opportunities, Ottawa County desires a
modern, actionable Comprehensive Plan that can guide public and private decision-making for the next 10
to 20 years.
III. Project Goals
The Comprehensive Plan should provide Ottawa County with a clear, realistic, and implementable roadmap
for future growth, investment, preservation, and community development.
1. Develop a shared long-term vision for Ottawa County.
2. Establish a modern land use and growth management framework.
3. Address housing needs, including workforce housing, senior housing, attainable housing, and seasonal
housing pressures.
4. Evaluate infrastructure capacity and future investment needs.
5. Support preservation of the County's agricultural, coastal, environmental, and small-town character.
6. Improve coordination among county government, townships, villages, cities, regional partners, and
public agencies.
7. Address transportation, mobility, traffic, freight, visitor movement, and connectivity issues.
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Ottawa County Comprehensive Plan Update | Request for Proposals (July 2026)
8. Consider the impacts of tourism, seasonal population changes, and second-home ownership.
9. Provide implementation strategies, policy recommendations, priority projects, and potential funding
tools.
10. Create a plan that is useful to elected officials, staff, residents, employers, community partners, and
developers.
IV. Scope of Work
The consultant shall propose a detailed scope of work that includes, at minimum, the following
components.
1.Project Initiation and Management
The consultant shall conduct an initial project kickoff with the County Project Management Team to confirm
project goals, schedule, deliverables, communication protocols, stakeholder engagement strategy, and
data needs.
* Kickoff meeting with County leadership and project leads.
* Finalized project schedule.
* Confirmation of roles, responsibilities, and approval process.
* Development of a public engagement plan.
* Identification of key stakeholders and stakeholder groups.
* Review of existing plans, studies, zoning documents, infrastructure plans, economic development
materials, housing data, transportation studies, environmental information, and related documents.
2.Existing Conditions Analysis
The consultant shall prepare a comprehensive existing conditions report that evaluates current conditions,
trends, assets, challenges, and opportunities within Ottawa County. The analysis should include, but not be
limited to:
* Demographics and population trends
* Seasonal population and visitor impacts
* Housing supply, affordability, and workforce housing needs
* Existing land use patterns
* Zoning and development regulations
* Transportation systems and traffic patterns
* Infrastructure and utility capacity
* Economic development and employment trends
* Tourism, recreation, and visitor economy
* Agriculture and rural land preservation
* Environmental, coastal, floodplain, wetland, and natural resource considerations
* Public facilities and services
* Community health, quality of life, and placemaking factors
* Development-ready sites, redevelopment areas, and priority investment corridors
* Intergovernmental coordination assessment/needs
3.Public and Stakeholder Engagement
The consultant shall design and facilitate a meaningful public engagement process that reaches residents,
business owners, local governments, employers, developers, agricultural stakeholders, tourism
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Ottawa County Comprehensive Plan Update | Request for Proposals (July 2026)
representatives, young professionals, seniors, seasonal property owners, civic organizations, and
historically underrepresented voices.
* Public open houses/events
* Community workshops
* Stakeholder interviews
* Focus groups
* Online surveys
* Interactive mapping tools
* Pop-up engagement at community events
* Meetings with township, village, city, and county officials
* Business and employer roundtables
* Youth or young professional engagement
* Agricultural and environmental stakeholder sessions
* Tourism and seasonal economy stakeholder sessions
The consultant should describe how it will ensure engagement is accessible, transparent, practical, and
representative of Ottawa County's diverse geography and interests.
4. Vision, Goals, and Guiding Principles
Based on data analysis and public input, the consultant shall help develop a countywide vision statement,
planning principles, and measurable goals. This section should address:
* What Ottawa County wants to become?
* What the County wants to preserve?
* Where and how growth should occur?
* How can communities balance development, tourism, housing, infrastructure, agriculture, and natural
resources?
* How the County can better coordinate public and private investment?
5. Future Land Use and Growth Framework
The consultant shall prepare a future land use and growth framework for Ottawa County. This framework
should include:
* Future land use map
* Growth areas and preservation areas
* Development suitability analysis
* Priority redevelopment areas
* Industrial and commercial growth corridors
* Residential development guidance
* Agricultural preservation considerations
* Coastal and environmental protection areas
* Utility service area considerations
* Guidance for township, village, city, and county coordination
* Strategies to manage growth while preserving community character
6. Housing Strategy
The Comprehensive Plan should include a focused housing strategy that addresses Ottawa County's
housing challenges. The housing strategy should consider:
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Ottawa County Comprehensive Plan Update | Request for Proposals (July 2026)
* Workforce housing needs
* Attainable and affordable housing
* Senior housing
* Rental housing
* Seasonal housing and second-home impacts
* Short-term rental pressures where relevant
* Housing barriers for workers in hospitality, tourism, manufacturing, public service, healthcare, and
education
* Opportunities for infill, redevelopment, mixed-use development, and "missing-middle" housing.
* Public-private partnership opportunities
* Potential policy, zoning, infrastructure, and incentive tools
7. Economic Development and Workforce Strategy
The consultant shall develop recommendations that support Ottawa County's long-term economic
competitiveness. This section should address:
* Industrial and business development opportunities
* Site readiness and infrastructure needs
* Workforce development and talent attraction
* Relationship between housing, transportation, childcare, and workforce availability
* Tourism and hospitality economy
* Agriculture and food-related economic opportunities
* Small business and downtown development
* Redevelopment and adaptive reuse
* Emerging industries and energy-related opportunities
* Regional partnerships
8. Infrastructure, Transportation, and Public Services
The plan should evaluate key infrastructure and transportation issues that influence future development and
quality of life. Topics may include:
* Water and wastewater capacity
* Stormwater and drainage
* Broadband and digital infrastructure
* Roadway and traffic conditions
* Freight movement
* Seasonal traffic and tourism-related infrastructure pressures (roads, water, sewer, gas, etc.)
* Transit and mobility options
* Bike and pedestrian connectivity
* Public safety and emergency service needs
* Capital improvement priorities
* Infrastructure funding strategies
9. Environmental, Coastal, and Agricultural Considerations
The plan should include strategies to protect and enhance Ottawa County's natural, agricultural, and
coastal assets. Topics may include:
* Lake Erie shoreline and coastal resiliency
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Ottawa County Comprehensive Plan Update | Request for Proposals (July 2026)
* Wetlands and floodplains
* Water quality
* Agricultural land preservation
* Parks, trails, and recreation
* Conservation areas
* Wildlife and natural habitats
* Balancing development with environmental stewardship
* Climate resilience and hazard mitigation considerations
10. Implementation Plan
The final Comprehensive Plan must include a practical implementation section that identifies specific
actions, responsible parties, timeframes, potential funding sources, and priority projects. The
implementation plan should include:
* Short-term, mid-term, and long-term action items
* Priority projects
* Policy recommendations
* Zoning and regulatory recommendations
* Capital improvement considerations
* Funding and grant opportunities
* Public-private partnership opportunities
* Roles for county government, city, townships, villages, regional agencies, and private-sector partners
* Measurable benchmarks for progress
V. Project Leadership and Governance
Ottawa County anticipates using a structured project leadership model to guide the planning process.
County Project Management Team
The selected consultant will work directly with a County Project Management Team. This team may include
representatives from:
* Ottawa County Commissioners (or designees)
* Ottawa County Regional Planning Commission
* Ottawa County Engineer's Office
* Ottawa County Sanitary Engineer's Office
* Ottawa County Auditor's Office
* Ottawa County Soil and Water Conservation District
* Ottawa County Emergency Management Agency
* Ottawa County Health Department
* Ottawa County Improvement Corporation
* Other county departments or partner agencies as appropriate.
The County Project Management Team will be responsible for day-to-day coordination, consultant
communication, review of draft materials, scheduling assistance, and preparation of items for broader
review.
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Ottawa County Comprehensive Plan Update | Request for Proposals (July 2026)
Steering Committee
A Steering Committee may be appointed to provide policy guidance, community perspective, and feedback
throughout the planning process. The Steering Committee may include representatives from:
* County government
* Townships
* Villages and cities
* Business and industry
* Agriculture
* Tourism and hospitality
* Housing and development
* Education and workforce
* Environmental and conservation organizations
* Utilities and infrastructure providers
* Residents and civic leaders
Topic-Based Working Groups
The County may also establish topic-specific working groups to provide deeper input on key issues such as
housing, infrastructure, childcare, transportation, tourism and seasonal population, agriculture and natural
resources, land use and zoning, and public services and quality of life.
The consultant should describe how it would work with the Project Management Team, Steering Committee,
and any working groups.
VI. Deliverables
At minimum, the consultant shall provide the following deliverables:
1. Final project work plan and schedule
2. Public engagement plan
3. Existing conditions report
4. Stakeholder engagement summary
5. Vision, goals, and guiding principles
6. Future land use map and growth framework
7. Housing strategy
8. Economic development strategy
9. Infrastructure and transportation recommendations
10. Environmental, coastal, and agricultural recommendations
11. Draft Comprehensive Plan
12. Final Comprehensive Plan
13. Executive Summary
14. Implementation matrix
15. Presentation materials for public meetings and final adoption
16. Digital files, maps, graphics, datasets, and editable source files
17. Public-facing dashboard or online plan implementation tracker
18. Final PDF and print-ready document
The final plan should be visually professional, easy to understand, data-supported, and practical for use by
elected officials, staff, community partners, developers, residents, and funding agencies.
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Ottawa County Comprehensive Plan Update | Request for Proposals (July 2026)
VII. Consultant Qualifications
Consultants should demonstrate experience in:
* Countywide comprehensive planning
* Rural and coastal community planning
* Land use and zoning analysis
* Housing strategy
* Economic development planning
* Infrastructure and transportation planning
* Public engagement
* GIS mapping and data visualization
* Implementation planning
* Working with counties, townships, villages, cities, and multi-jurisdictional communities
* Facilitating complex stakeholder processes
Experience in Ohio, Lake Erie communities, tourism-based economies, agricultural counties, or counties
with significant seasonal population impacts is preferred.
VIII. Proposal Requirements
Interested firms shall submit a proposal that includes the following:
1. Cover letter
2. Firm overview
3. Project understanding and approach
4. Proposed scope of work
5. Public engagement strategy
6. Project schedule
7. Project team and resumes
8. Identification of project manager and key personnel
9. Relevant project experience
10. At least three references
11. Proposed fee, including budget by task
12. List of reimbursable expenses, if any
13. Description of any subconsultants
14. Examples of similar comprehensive plans or planning documents
15. Statement of availability and capacity to complete the work
IX. Proposed Schedule
The County anticipates the project may take approximately 12 to 18 months from notice to proceed through
final plan adoption.
Proposing firms should provide a detailed schedule that includes major milestones, including:
* Project kickoff
* Existing conditions analysis
* Public engagement phases
* Visioning
* Draft recommendations
* Draft plan
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Ottawa County Comprehensive Plan Update | Request for Proposals (July 2026)
* Public review
* Final plan
* Adoption process
The County may adjust the schedule based on consultant recommendations, public engagement needs, and
review requirements.
X. Evaluation Criteria
Proposals may be evaluated based on the following criteria:
1. Understanding of Ottawa County's needs and planning context
2. Quality and practicality of the proposed approach
3. Experience with countywide comprehensive planning
4. Experience with rural, coastal, tourism, agricultural, and multi-jurisdictional communities
5. Strength of the proposed project team
6. Public engagement approach
7. Quality of previous work
8. Ability to produce an implementable plan
9. Project schedule and capacity
10. Cost and overall value
The County reserves the right to interview one or more firms before making a final selection.
XI. Submission Instructions
Proposals shall be submitted electronically in PDF format to:
Contact Name: Mark Messa
Contact Title: Director
Organization: Ottawa County Regional Planning Commission
Email: mmessa@co.ottawa.oh.us
Proposals must be received no later than: 5:00 PM Monday, August 3, 2026
Questions regarding this RFP shall be submitted in writing to: mmessa@co.ottawa.oh.us
The County may issue written responses to questions or addenda as necessary.
XII. Reservation of Rights
Ottawa County reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, waive informalities or irregularities, request
additional information, negotiate with one or more firms, modify the scope of work, or cancel this RFP at any
time.
Issuance of this RFP does not commit Ottawa County to award a contract or pay any costs incurred in the
preparation of a proposal.
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Ottawa County Comprehensive Plan Update | Request for Proposals (July 2026)
XIII. Desired Outcome
The desired outcome is a modern, community-supported, and actionable Comprehensive Plan that
positions Ottawa County for responsible growth, long-term prosperity, infrastructure readiness, housing
solutions, environmental stewardship, and preservation of the qualities that make the County unique.
The final plan should not simply be a vision document. It should be a working guide for implementation,
investment, policy decisions, intergovernmental coordination, economic development, and community
improvement for the next generation.
Optional Add-On Services for Consideration
The County may request that proposing firms identify optional add-on services that could strengthen the
Comprehensive Plan or support implementation. These may include, but are not limited to:
* Zoning code audit or zoning modernization recommendations (a la carte by political subdivision)
* Workforce housing feasibility analysis
* Economic development site readiness strategy
* Infrastructure capacity mapping
* Fiscal impact analysis or development scenario modeling
* Grant funding strategy for priority projects
* Community branding, placemaking, or downtown revitalization concepts
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