Professional Consulting Services for Objective Design Standards

The City of Claremont, California has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for professional consulting services to prepare Objective Design Standards (ODS) for multi-family and mixed-use residential development. The City seeks qualified firms with expertise in urban planning, architecture, and urban design to prepare standards supporting streamlined housing approvals while preserving Claremont’s unique architectural character and community context.

Background and Intent

Recent changes to California housing law—including Senate Bill (SB) 35, SB 330, and the Housing Accountability Act—have limited the ability of cities to apply subjective design review criteria in the evaluation of certain housing projects. As a result, jurisdictions must adopt objective, measurable, and enforceable design standards to retain design oversight for qualifying housing developments. This RFP invites consultants with demonstrated experience in developing objective design standards or similar regulatory frameworks (such as form-based codes) to submit proposals for assisting the City with this important planning initiative.

Claremont is a historic college town known for its well-preserved neighborhoods, tree-lined streets, and vibrant pedestrian-oriented downtown (the “Village”). The City has long valued high-quality design and has relied on discretionary design guidelines, advisory boards, and commissions to guide new development. However, under current state law, many of these discretionary tools can no longer be applied in ministerial housing approval processes. The proposed ODS will help the City maintain its design expectations while meeting state requirements for housing streamlining.

Scope of Work

The selected consultant will be responsible for preparing a comprehensive set of Objective Design Standards that apply to new multi-family and mixed-use residential developments subject to ministerial approval. The project scope includes:

• A. Background Review and Analysis: Review the City’s General Plan, Zoning Code, Specific Plans, and Design Guidelines to identify inconsistencies or subjective criteria that must be revised or supplemented with objective language. Consultants should also assess recent project approvals and design review processes to understand common issues and priorities.
• B. Field Survey and Documentation: Conduct a photo-based and spatial survey of existing multi-family and mixed-use buildings throughout Claremont to establish a framework of neighborhood character, development types, and architectural patterns. Emphasis should be placed on understanding design transitions, site layout, architectural articulation, and public realm conditions.
• C. Preparation of Draft Objective Design Standards: Develop a complete set of objective, enforceable standards that regulate building form, massing, setbacks, façade treatment, material palettes, site planning, parking, lighting, landscaping, open space, and compatibility with surrounding context. Standards must be suitable for ministerial review and clearly eliminate subjective interpretation.
• D. Visual Illustrations and Prototypes: Create user-friendly visual tools—such as diagrams, graphic standards, photo simulations, and prototype buildings—to enhance staff implementation and public understanding. Visual content should reflect the diversity of lot conditions and development patterns in Claremont.
• E. Public Engagement and Presentations: Conduct at least one community workshop and facilitate discussions at public meetings with the Planning Commission, Architectural and Preservation Commission, and City Council. The consultant will be responsible for preparing all presentation materials and summarizing public input for consideration in the final ODS.
• F. Final Deliverables and Implementation Support: Prepare a final ODS document in print-ready and editable formats (PDF and InDesign/Word). The consultant shall also provide a summary implementation memo with guidance for City staff on applying the standards in ministerial reviews and integrating them into the City’s existing regulatory framework.

Deliverables

Key deliverables include:

• Existing Conditions and Policy Review Memo
• Draft Objective Design Standards (ODS) Document
• Visual support materials (illustrations, diagrams, simulations)
• Community engagement summaries and presentation decks
• Final ODS in both PDF and editable formats
• Implementation memo for staff

Proposal Requirements

All proposals must include:

• A signed cover letter
• Narrative describing project understanding and methodology
• Task-based Scope of Work with estimated hours and timeline
• Summary of prior experience and relevant qualifications
• Resumes and roles of the consultant team
• At least three public agency references
• Detailed cost proposal with hourly rates
• Statement of acceptance of RFP conditions or any exceptions
• Litigation disclosure (if applicable)
• Confirmation of ability to meet City insurance requirements

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated on the following weighted criteria:

• Understanding of Claremont’s context and applicable state laws (20%)
• Technical experience and project examples (20%)
• Feasibility and clarity of the work plan (20%)
• Team qualifications and availability (15%)
• Community engagement strategy (10%)
• Cost competitiveness (10%)
• References and past performance (5%)

Submittal Deadline and Contact

Four bound hard copies and one electronic copy must be submitted by July 24, 2025 at 5:30 PM to:

Alex Cousins
Senior Management Analyst
City of Claremont
207 Harvard Avenue, P.O. Box 880
Claremont, CA 91711
Email: [email protected]

The City reserves the right to waive any irregularities, request clarification from proposers, or cancel the RFP at any time. Interviews may be conducted with a shortlist of proposers during the week of August 4, 2025, with a final selection anticipated by August 11, 2025.

Conclusion

This effort represents a vital step in preserving Claremont’s architectural legacy while complying with the State’s housing laws. The selected consultant will play a critical role in shaping the future of residential design and contributing to a more predictable and objective approval process. The City encourages creative, experienced, and collaborative firms to apply and share their expertise in balancing high-quality design with housing policy requirements.