City Council:
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE RELEASE
OF A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) FOR
PROFESSIONAL CONSULTING SERVICES TO
PREPARE A COMPREHENSIVE UPDATE TO THE
CITY OF MOUNT VERNON ZONING ORDINANCE
Whereas, in correspondence dated February 17, 2026, the Commissioner of the Department of Planning and Community Development formally requested authorization to prepare and release a Request for Proposals (RFP) for professional consulting services to prepare a comprehensive update to the City of Mount Vernon Zoning Ordinance; and
Whereas, the City Council of the Mount Vernon recognizes the importance of maintaining a modern, legally defensible, and user-friendly Zoning Ordinance that advances the health, safety, and general welfare of the community; and
Whereas, in November 2025, following a multi-year, two-phase planning process that included extensive public engagement, technical analysis, and intergovernmental coordination, the City adopted its first Comprehensive Plan since 1968 (the "Comprehensive Plan"); and
Whereas, the Comprehensive Plan establishes a long-term vision for land use, housing, economic development, transportation, sustainability, environmental resilience, and community character, with an emphasis on transit-oriented development, equity, and sustainable growth; and
Whereas, implementation of the Comprehensive Plan requires a comprehensive modernization and restructuring of the City's existing Zoning Ordinance to ensure consistency with the adopted vision and contemporary planning standards; and
Whereas, the Department of Planning and Community Development has determined that the services of a qualified and experienced professional planning consultant are necessary to assist in preparing a comprehensive update to the Zoning Ordinance; and
Whereas, the scope of services will include, but not be limited to, a full diagnostic review of the existing Zoning Ordinance; development of updated zoning distric...
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