Agenda Item: 18
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
CONSENT CALENDAR
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
DATE: May 13, 2025
SUBJECT: OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS CONTRACT
DEPARTMENT: Community Development
PRESENTER: Mikaela Manion
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council:
1. Award a two-year contract to RRM Design Group to create objective design and development standards for multifamily and mixed-use residential projects for a total contract amount not to exceed $250,000.
2. Appropriate funds in the amount of $250,000 to Miscellaneous Grant Fund (Fund 259) Planning Grant expenditure account 2593110-516101 and increase Miscellaneous Grant Fund (Fund 259) revenue account 259-462101 by $250,000.
3. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all contracts and associated documents, subject to City Attorney approval.
BACKGROUND
On October 8, 2024, the City Council adopted a resolution authorizing the City Manager or designee to execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), in a form approved by the City Attorney between Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) and the City of Santa Clarita (City) for a Subregional Partnership Program (SRP 2.0) for the purposes of receiving Regional Early Action Planning Grants of 2021 (REAP 2.0) funding in the amount of $250,000, to prepare objective design and development standards for multifamily and mixed-use residential projects (Project). The MOU was executed on April 1, 2025, with a minor change described below.
When initially presented to the City Council, the intent was to utilize SCAG’s consultant procurement process and SCAG would administer the contract, while the City would work
directly with the consultant. However, SCAG was unable to procure a consultant. Therefore, the City proceeded with its own procurement process, will administer the contract, and submit costs to SCAG for reimbursement. The contract budget is $250,000 and will be entirely funded by the REAP 2.0 Grant established by SCAG.
This effort will support the implementation of Program HP-2.1 from the City’s 6th Cycle Housing Element, which addresses recent changes in state law aimed at streamlining the review process for housing developments. The Project will establish clear, measurable development standards for housing projects with the goal of eliminating subjective design standards, establish objective design standards for multifamily and mixed-use housing projects, and create predictable outcomes for housing developments per state requirements.
The City conducted a Request for Proposal (RFP) to solicit proposals from qualified consulting firms to create objective design and development standards for multifamily and mixed-use residential development projects. The RFP was published and circulated via the City’s e- procurement system, BidNet, on February 24, 2025. The City transmitted the solicitation to 2,503 vendors on BidNet, of which 101 vendors downloaded the RFP. Six companies provided proposals for consideration.
These proposals were reviewed and evaluated based on each company’s ability to meet the specific needs of the City. An evaluation panel comprised of staff from the Planning division scored the responses using the following categories of weighted criteria:
• Scope of Work and Program Management: thoroughness of proposal, approach to providing sound services, and ability to provide services to meet objectives and standards;
• Experience on similar projects/references;
• Responsiveness to the RFP; and
• Cost.
The evaluation team scored the responses based on a 100-point system, with the results outlined below:
Rank Company Location Score
1 RRM Design Group San Juan Capistrano, CA 100.00
2 Mintier Harnish LP Sacramento, CA 83.00
3 Interwest Consulting Group Irvine, CA 75.00
4 Precision Civil Engineering, Inc. Fresno, CA 70.00
5 Mobius Planning Anaheim, CA 65.00
6 Harmonie Park Development Group LLC Los Gatos, CA 65.00
In reviewing proposals, the evaluation team awarded the highest score to RRM Design Group (RRM). Based on the quality of RRM’s comprehensive proposal, related experience, in-house technical expertise, and professional references, City staff recommends RRM as the firm most qualified to complete the Project. RRM Design Group has written objective design and development standards for over ten cities within California, including Alhambra, Encinitas, and
La Mirada, and has experience implementing them and ensuring these standards are buildable.
RRM Design Group is familiar with the City’s review and development processes, and with the City’s current Community Character & Design Guidelines/architectural requirements, which will be the foundation for the objective design and development standards.
The contract services include:
• Preparation of project management plan and schedule;
• Monthly invoicing and reporting;
• Data collection and preparation of associated technical documents; • Preparing for and conducting stakeholder workshops;
• Preparation of the final Objective Design Standards (including up to four draft versions); • Preparation/refinement of housing development permit applications and checklists; and • Attending public meetings.
Staff has completed a due-diligence review of RRM’s professional references and determined its work history meets the City’s standards. Based on the above, staff recommends awarding the contract to RRM. Adoption of the objective design and development standards will require approval by the City Council and will be presented to the City Council for consideration at a future meeting.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
Other action as determined by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
Upon approval of the recommended actions, budget for the Miscellaneous Grant Planning Expenditure Account (2593110-516101) will increase by $250,000 and Miscellaneous Grant Revenue Account (259-462101) will increase by $250,000.
ATTACHMENTS
RRM Design Group RFP Response File