Provision of a Revised Gwinnett County Tree Ordinance

Agency:	Gwinnett County
State:	Georgia
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	F - Natural Resources and Conservation Services
Posted:	Feb 14, 2024
Due:	Mar 7, 2024
Solicitation No:	RP012-24 INV
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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February 13, 2024

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

RP012-24

The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners is soliciting competitive sealed proposals from qualified

consultants to Provision of a Revised Gwinnett County Tree Ordinance for the Department of Planning and

Development.

Proposals must be returned in a sealed container marked on the outside with the Request for Proposal

number and Company Name. Proposals will be received until 2:50 P.M. local time on Thursday, March 7,

2024 at the Gwinnett County Financial Services - Purchasing Division – 2nd Floor, 75 Langley Drive,

Lawrenceville, Georgia 30046. Any proposal received after this date and time will not be accepted. Proposals

will be publicly opened and only names of submitting firms will be read at 3:00 P.M. A list of firms submitting

proposals will be available the following business day on our website www.gwinnettcounty.com.

A pre-proposal conference is scheduled for 10:00 A.M. on Tuesday, February 27, 2024 at the Gwinnett County

Purchasing Division, inside the Dogwood Conference room, 75 Langley Dr, Lawrenceville, GA 30046. All

consultants are urged to attend. Questions regarding proposals should be directed to Alexis Holland,

Purchasing Associate at alexis.holland@gwinnettcounty.com or by calling 770-822-8741, no later than 3pm

on Wednesday, February 28, 2024. Proposals are legal and binding upon the vendor when submitted. One

unbound 8 ½” x 11” single sided marked “original”, five (5) exact copies minus the fee proposal, one (1)

electronic copy on a flash drive (labeled Technical), one (1) hard copy and electronic copy of the cost

proposal on a flash drive (labeled Financial) should be submitted. Cost Schedule should be submitted in a

separate sealed envelope.

Successful consultant will be required to meet insurance requirements. The Insurance Company should be

authorized to do business in Georgia by the Georgia Insurance Department and must have an A.M. Best rating

of A-5 or higher.

Gwinnett County does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admission or access to its programs or

activities. Any requests for reasonable accommodations required by individuals to fully participate in any

open meeting, program or activity of Gwinnett County Government should be directed to the ADA Coordinator

at the Gwinnett County Justice and Administration Center, 770-822-8165.

The written proposal documents supersede any verbal or written prior communications between the parties.

Selection criteria are outlined in the request for proposal documents. Gwinnett County reserves the right to

reject any or all proposals to waive technicalities, and to make an award deemed in its best interest.

Award notification will be posted after award on the County website, www.gwinnettcounty.com and

companies submitting a proposal will be notified via email.

We look forward to your proposal and appreciate your interest in Gwinnett County.

Alexis Holland

Purchasing Associate II

The following pages should be returned as part of your proposal submittal:

Cost Schedule , Page 11

Consultant Information Page 12

References, Pages 13

Ethics Affidavit, Page 27

Contractor Affidavit, Page 28

RP012-24

Page 2

Gwinnett County Buffer, Landscape and Tree Ordinance

PURPOSE

Trees are an essential part of the County’s infrastructure. The Gwinnett County Tree Ordinance has provided a

solid foundation for the planting, preservation, and maintenance of trees since its adoption in 1987. To

accommodate a 60% increase in the County’s population over the next 25 years, the protection of green space

and trees is paramount as development continues. Retention, planting, and maintenance of our tree canopy is

a high priority initiative. A sustainable approach is necessary and must be derived from analyzing data, both

current and past, with specific goals and objectives to be established as a result of the process.

Gwinnett County is soliciting competitive sealed proposals from an individual, consultant, or team of

consultants to assist in the development of cutting-edge tree and landscape regulations. Heavy emphasis

should be placed on creating illustrative content through a progressive and sustainable approach taking into

consideration the County’s population growth and growing land use diversity. With only an estimated 9% of

County land undeveloped, Gwinnett is seeking to maximize opportunities for redevelopment and infill

development. Progressive tree and landscape policies that result in regulations that recognize the unique

needs and development trends of different areas of the County is essential to help maintain and grow

Gwinnett’s tree canopy.

II. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The Gwinnett County Tree Ordinance was adopted on June 23, 1987, and was later amended, retitled, and

adopted as the Buffer, Landscape and Tree Ordinance on September 22, 1992. The ordinance was combined

with the zoning ordinance and other development regulations into a Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) in

2014. An amendment to the UDO, including some limited revisions to the Buffer, Landscape and Tree

Ordinance regulations was adopted by the County on September 26, 2023.

Gwinnett County is located thirty miles northeast of Atlanta and is one of the most ethnically diverse counties

in the southeast boasting a nationally recognized park system. At 437 square miles and a population currently

over 984,000 rising to an estimated 1.56 million by the year 2040, the County is experiencing a steady decline

in tree canopy and seeking an ordinance that will champion our resources and incentivize redevelopment that

grows the County’s tree canopy.

For more information on current regulations, growth and future land use, reference the links below:

UDO Amended September 26, 2023

Planning and Development - Gwinnett | Gwinnett County

Gwinnett County 2040 Unified Plan Executive Summary

2040 Unified Plan Executive Summary

Gwinnett County 2045 Unified Plan Webpage

2045 Unified Plan - Gwinnett | Gwinnett County

III. ORGANIZATION

General Expectations

The consultant is required to carefully communicate and coordinate all aspects of work. The consultant is, at

a minimum, responsible for preparing meeting agendas and minutes and distributing them to team members

for all meetings referenced throughout this proposal. Meetings may be held virtually or in person depending

on the best methods to convey information and obtain feedback, as determined by the County Project

RP012-24

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Manager. The consultant team shall maintain a project status tracker at all times.

A project kickoff meeting with Gwinnett County Planning and Development staff shall occur within 30 days of

contract execution to finalize the project scope, approach, and to answer any questions.

The following teams and committees will be established to guide the project:

Project Manager and Project Management Team (PMT)

The Director of the Department of Planning and Development (“The Department”), or designee, shall serve as

the County’s Project Manager (PM). Weekly updates shall be provided via email or over the phone to the

Project Manager. A Project Management Team will be created by The Department, to include, at a minimum,

the Director, Deputy Department Director, Development Division Director, Development Plan Review Manager,

and Development Project Manager. This group shall meet on a biweekly basis throughout the process. The

purpose of the PMT is to provide direction on the amendment preparation and approval process, community

engagement, and preparation of deliverables.

Tree Ordinance Review Technical Committee (TORTC)

A Tree Ordinance Review Technical Committee will be created by The Department in support of the project.

The TORTC shall include representatives from the Departments of Community Services, Transportation, and

other internal County departments as determined by the Project Manager. The TORTC shall meet monthly

throughout the amendment preparation and approval process. The purpose of the TORTC is to provide input

on the analysis and research process, restructuring of the chapters, and preparation of deliverables.

Consultant Team

In response to this proposal, the consultant should include a detailed overview of the team that will execute

the project. The consultant is to provide background, qualifications, and experience of project team members.

It is the responsibility of the consultant to manage the project in its entirety under the general supervision of

the County Project Manager.

Deliverables:

- Weekly Project Manager Progress Reports from consultant to the Project Manager.

- Bi-weekly PMT Agendas and Meeting Summaries from consultant to the Project Manager.

- Monthly TORTC Agendas and Meeting Summaries from consultant to the Project Manager.

IV. SCOPE OF SERVICES

Gwinnett County will issue one contract to complete the work described herein. The expected final product

includes the following: 1). Tree canopy assessment; 2). Report of Findings and Recommendations; 3). Draft

Amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO); 4.) Appendix of supporting documents. All content

should be strongly supported by leading edge illustrative graphics and industry best practices.

The following minimum steps are required:

1. Conduct a tree canopy assessment and supporting documents. (See Task 1)

2. Develop and manage a comprehensive stakeholder and community engagement program. (See Task

3. Complete a comprehensive analysis of the entire Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) to identify

duplication and redundancy and to centralize tree and landscape code regulations. This includes

examining details in the UDO Appendices and any regulations included by reference.

RP012-24

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4. Research tree and landscape regulations of other similar sized jurisdictions both regionally and

nationally for comparison and contrast to Gwinnett County’s. Evaluate successful best practices and

methods through comparative case studies. Research progressive approaches and sustainable best

practices for trees and landscaping within spaces such as, but not limited to, public gathering places,

parking lots, common areas, streetscapes, redevelopment sites, infill development sites, and

stormwater management facilities.

5. Restructure Chapters 600, 610, 620, 630, and 640 of the UDO by consolidating into one Chapter 600

while assuring cross references to the green infrastructure details within the Gwinnett County

Stormwater Management Manual; Countywide Trails Masterplan and Appendix of the UDO do not

conflict, are aligned, and correct.

6. Create leading edge, innovative graphics and details that illustrate best practices from the concepts

derived from the research, analysis, and evaluation listed above.

7. Prepare a written summary, and supporting documents to the UDO, that will be considered and

adopted by the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners.

The selected consultant shall provide services sufficient to accomplish the goals of each distinct task

awarded under this overall project and present findings to staff in various formats appropriate to convey the

ideas and results (written, graphically, electronically, audio, and video).

Task 1: Tree Canopy Assessment

Prior to preparing the report of findings and recommendations and draft UDO Amendments a tree canopy

assessment, as outlined below, must be completed. This process also includes the establishment of The

County goals and expectations regarding tree canopy retention and future vegetative measures to promote

tree canopy growth.

Phase 1:

Conduct a tree canopy assessment of unincorporated Gwinnett County that includes five types of land cover:

trees/forest/shrub; grass/meadows; impervious surfaces; bare soil; and open water. This should include

measurements with comparisons of land cover by tax parcel district (ex: R1234), census tract, land use,

zoning district, population density, and/or other means to accurately analyze tree canopy.

The assessment, at a minimum, shall establish the following:

1. Historical tree canopy percentage every five years beginning with 2005 (based on available data).

2. Current tree canopy percentage and location.

3. Projected rate of tree canopy loss at historical and current development rates.

4. Amount, location, and suitability of land currently available for the establishment of tree canopy.

Phase 2:

Document the benefits of sustaining and/or adding to the tree canopy long-term based on, but not limited to,

the following minimum factors:

1. Socio-demographics;

2. Public health;

3. Economics;

4. Ecological; and

5. Stormwater.

Phase 3:

Provide an executive summary report that includes data, maps, and graphics, and establishes progressive, yet

realistic, tree canopy goals and policies.

RP012-24

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At a minimum, the report should determine the following:

1. What should the future tree canopy percentage be overall and by specific geographic areas?

2. What policies should be considered to ensure equitable distribution of tree canopy?

3. What programs should the County establish for enhancement and maintenance of the tree canopy?

The results of the tree canopy assessment will allow the County to accomplish tree canopy goals that not only

maintain current tree canopy levels but increase tree canopy levels in identified areas and assist with

developing supportive policies. Once the tree canopy goals and policies are finalized and approved by the

PMT, the consultant may move forward with the “Tasks” listed below.

Task 2: Stakeholder and Community Engagement

Public participation, involvement, and community awareness is essential in developing a successful

amendment. The consultant shall prepare informational material for all meetings and public workshops. The

material will include but is not limited to flyers, handouts, storyboards, and PowerPoint presentations.

Coordination Meetings with Tree Advisory Committee

The Tree Advisory Committee will be asked to review and comment on project deliverables throughout the

completion of the project. The Committee is comprised of nine (9) members, four commission district

appointees, one citizen-at-large, one registered forester, one, registered landscape architect, one Gwinnett

County Clean and Beautiful representative, and one Development Advisory Committee representative. The

consultant will prepare draft documents, presentations, interactive feedback tools, and summaries of these

meetings.

Small Group Stakeholders

The consultant should plan to manage at least 10 small group stakeholder meetings. Examples of

stakeholder groups include Community Improvement Districts, Neighborhood Groups, Development

Community, Development Advisory Committee, Business Owners, Planning Commission, and

Sustainability Commission etc. The final list of stakeholder groups shall be developed and approved by

the Project Management Team (PMT).

Other Public Engagement Activities

The following list of other engagement activities is not exhaustive and should be considered the

minimum required activities. Consultants are expected to propose creative, cutting-edge methods of

engaging the community. The Board of Commissioners highly considers all public input in their decision-

making process, so a thorough, effective public engagement program is required. At a minimum, the

consultant should propose the following:

1. Survey: A survey shall be distributed and made available for completion online.

2. Project Website: The consultant team shall work with the Department of Communications to create a

project website and create all content with information about the Amendment preparation and approval

process and any other necessary information. A feedback tool will be incorporated into the page, and the

consultant will be responsible for analyzing the feedback downloaded from the tool.

3. Workshops: At least three public meetings shall be in a workshop format with interactive sessions. The

consultant is expected to develop creative, cutting-edge interactive sessions.

4. Individual Stakeholder Interviews: The consultant team should be prepared to interview up to 20 individual

community stakeholders, including one-on-one interviews with the Chairwoman, District Commissioners,

and County Administrator. Other stakeholders may include Department Directors, Community Leaders,

etc., as determined by the PMT.

This is the opportunity summary page. You are currently viewing an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation. For more information, please visit the Publication URL Web page.

Provision of a Revised Gwinnett County Tree Ordinance

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