6. MSA Proposal_Scandia_Development_and_Zoning_Code_Update_FinalPrepared for:
City of Scandia, MN
March 13, 2020
PROPOSAL TO PROVIDE
Development and Zoning Code
Update
Photo courtesy of: https://www.flickr.com/photos/courthouselover/33442081342
March 13, 2020
Ken Cammilleri, City Administrator
City of Scandia
14727 209th Street North
Scandia, MN 55073
Re: Proposal for Development and Zoning Code Update
Dear Mr. Cammilleri,
As the City of Scandia continues to grow and thrive, you recognize the need to update the City’s development regulations.
The success of MSA’s Planning + Design Studio and Marvin Planning Consultants in completing similar projects shows
that we will effectively manage our resources, formulate innovative yet practical solutions, and maintain consistent
communication throughout the project.
We understand that the City’s updates to its development and zoning regulations presents unique challenges, and we
will collaborate with necessary stakeholders to ensure that the resulting ordinance or ordinances suit your community’s
needs. Our team will lead the development of an update of your development regulations, with the goal of facilitating a
planning process that:
• Provides updates to the City’s existing zoning regulations and zoning map to reflect development goals and objectives
set with the 2019 Comprehensive Plan.
• Retains the existing euclidean framework of the zoning code and introduce changes necessary to modernize the
code.
• Updates the City's development regulations while considering Scandia’s natural setting - its scenic vistas, lakes, and
its shoreland in the St. Croix River Valley, as well as its development goals.
• Updates the development regulations while maintaining existing zoning districts and adding additional districts as
necessary to meet the Comprehensive Plan's goals.
• Incorporates the existing design standards and other zoning strategies for the Village Center district to maintain
architectural character and consistency.
The City of Scandia will benefit from our team's experience and use of ArcGIS and Adobe Creative Suite to deliver a
planning process and updated regulations that are relatable, useful and utilize graphics to portray important development
and zoning concepts. As multidisciplinary municipal consultants, we constantly work with boards, supervisors, officials,
councils, commissions, planners, engineers, administrators, public works directors, staff and residents to share and
present information clearly, as well as provide purposeful planning products that meet future needs. Our team is committed
to making this project a success. Please contact me directly with any questions by phone at (612) 548-3132 or by email
at cjanson@msa-ps.com. I look forward to continuing this conversation with you.
Sincerely,
MSA Professional Services, Inc. | Planning + Design Studio
Christopher Janson, AICP
Project Manager
MSA PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, INC.
60 Plato Boulevard E., Suite 140, St. Paul, MN 55107-1835
Contact: Christopher Janson, AICP
Phone: (612) 548-3132
Email: cjanson@msa-ps.com
Website: www.msa-ps.com
MSA PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, INC.
Table of Contents
COVER LETTER
An introduction to our team and qualifications
FIRM INFORMATION 1
A summary of who we are and what we do
PROJECT APPROACH | METHODOLOGY 5
Our overall approach and general methodology for your project
PROPOSED SCOPE OF WORK 7
Our plan to complete your project based on your RFP
PROPOSED SCHEDULE 8
Our proposed timeline
PROPOSED FEE 9
Our proposed cost to complete your project
EXPERIENCE | WORK SAMPLES 10
Past successful projects like yours that we’ve completed
PROJECT TEAM EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS 14
Resumes for key personnel
MSA PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, INC.
1MSA PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, INC.
FIRM INFORMATION
MSA Professional Services, Inc. | Corporate Overview
MSA Professional Services, Inc. (MSA) specializes in the
sustainable development of communities. We achieve this by
building honest, open relationships that go beyond the project to
become a trusted source of expertise and support for immediate
challenges and long-term goals. Big or small, we do whatever it
takes to meet each need, working to make communities stronger
in the process. It’s more than a project. It’s a commitment.
MSA’s roots reach back to the 1930s. Once a rural land survey
company, our firm now consists of approximately 325 engineers,
architects, planners, funding experts, surveyors, GIS experts and
environmental scientists. MSA excels at helping clients identify
grant and funding sources and then delivering high quality, cost-
effective solutions.
CLIENT EXPERIENCE
Percentage of clients who say MSA
met or exceeded their expectations
based on the following categories.
ACCURACY
HELPFULNESS
QUALITY
RESPONSIVENESS
SCOPE and FEES
SCHEDULE
GRANTS & LOW-INTEREST LOANS
2 MSA PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, INC.
FIRM INFORMATION
How it will work during your project:
1. The project manager or another
team member asks for your feedback
electronically.
2. You respond to a six-eight question, two-
three minute survey.
3. Your response is immediately routed to
the project team via email.
4. If any of your responses indicate
exceptional performance or a problem,
someone on the project team will follow-
up and discuss ways to either improve
the process, or make sure we continue
to provide the level of service you desire.
5. We document any process changes and
communicate them to the project team
and back to you.
Client Service Quality Assurance Program | Your success matters
Our firm constantly strives to improve our processes and tailor the services we
provide to best suit each of our clients. As part of our ongoing quality assurance
program, we periodically request feedback from clients and project stakeholders to
create better project outcomes for you.
These easy-to-complete surveys offer you the opportunity to comment on several
areas of our performance throughout the duration of your project, which in turn
helps us adapt our processes to your unique needs. Your feedback is specific to
your project, and is returned directly to the people working with you. We pledge to
respond to any issues you identify as the project proceeds.
Unlike any survey you’ve ever taken before, your response will initiate specific
improvement for you and your project. To fully demonstrate this program, you
will soon receive a survey requesting your feedback on our ability to meet your
expectations throughout the proposal process. We hope you’ll take a few minutes
to respond, experience the process first-hand, and see how we follow-up to your
feedback.
PLANNING & LANDSCAPE
ARCHITECTURE
MSA has specialists in all areas of community planning, urban
design and economic development. Our award-winning planners
work to understand the challenges our clients face and help them
develop sustainable, implementable plans to provide guidance
in overcoming those hurdles.
ENGINEERING
We know the key to strong communities is the happiness of their
residents and the health of their economies. MSA focuses on
working alongside public and private clients to achieve both these
ends by designing and constructing projects that solve age-old
problems and encourage new development.
ARCHITECTURE
From intricate historical restorative projects to high-rise programming
and design, our team of architects aspires to design buildings that
enrich the lives of our clients and enhance their futures.
SURVEYING
MSA’s surveyors have the resources and expertise to efficiently
and accurately complete fieldwork and to provide high-quality
survey documents.
FUNDING
Our funding experts excel at coordinating grant and loan
applications, and fulfilling the requirements of various agencies to
help our clients turn project ideas to reality.
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
MSA’s environmental scientists and technicians help communities
identify and clean up contamination. We understand regulatory
requirements and have built critical relationships with regulatory
agencies.
CORE DISCIPLINES
3
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MSA PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, INC.
FIRM INFORMATION
Planning + Design Studio
At MSA, we know that every project starts with a plan – a clear and consensus-driven
vision for the future that can be realistically implemented.
Our Planning + Design Studio is 17 strong, nine of whom are members of the American
Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), along with two Professional Landscape Architects
(PLA). Members of our studio regularly give presentations on various planning topics
at state and national conferences. The professional planners that comprise the Studio
have helped hundreds of communities and private organizations define their vision,
obtain funding, and implement the improvements they seek. And, because our planners
are part of a multi-disciplinary firm, they are able to engage our professional engineers
and architects in the planning processes to aid our clients in developing sustainable,
implementable plans.
• Capital Improvement and Strategic Plans
• Comprehensive Plans
• Zoning: Ordinance Creation, Code Rewrites, Development Regulations and
Zoning Administration
• Community Blight Studies
• Cooperative Boundary Agreements
• Economic Development: Market Analysis, Tax Increment Financing, Feasibility
Studies
• Funding: Grant Writing, Grant Administration, Fundraising
• Housing Studies: Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing, Market Analysis
• Impact Fee Studies
• Landscape Architecture
• Park and Recreation Planning: Park Master Plans, Comprehensive Outdoor
Recreation Plans, ADA Studies
• Public Engagement
• Redevelopment Studies: Downtown, Neighborhood, Corridor, and Site Planning
• Transportation Planning: Bicycle + Pedestrian Plans, Safe Routes to Schools
Plans, Access Management Studies
• Urban Design: Wayfinding, Streetscaping, and Design Standards
SERVICES 20
Our planners have created 20
award-winning plans over the
past 10 years.
AWARDS
NATIONAL + STATE
AWARD -
WINNING
A FULL-SERVICE
PLANNING+DESIGN
firm with project
experience across
the country
SECTION HEADING
4 MSA PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, INC.
FIRM INFORMATION
Firm Information and Background
About Marvin Planning Consultants, Inc.
Marvin Planning Consultants is a community planning firm organized for the purpose of providing
cost-effective, common sense, yet innovative planning solutions to communities and counties.
The firm is located in David City, NE, a community of nearly 3,000 people and within 30-minutes
of several major transportation routes within the Midwest.
Keith Marvin, AICP, brings 25 years of consulting experience in community and regional planning
with communities similar to Scandia, including leading the planning division of a Nebraska
engineering firm for nearly 13 years. His experience includes nearly 200 municipalities in seven
states.
What We Do
City and County Planning
Marvin Planning Consultant’s operating philosophy centers on not just working for clients
but building relationships with our clients.
Office Location
P.O. Box 410
David City, NE 68632
P: 402.367.5031
C: 402.606.6405
kmarvin@marvinplanning.com
www.marvinplanning.com
Corporate Organization
Sub-Chapter S Corporation
Company Founded
June 2009 as a sole-proprietorship
Company incorporated in August
2015
“Keith is a highly experienced planner who provides his municipal clients with well thought out, innovative, and creative plans and
implementation strategies. His body of work speaks for itself and I would not think twice about hiring him again in the future.”
- Michael Johnson AICP
Former Director of Planning and Building
Norwalk, Iowa
• Comprehensive Plans
• Zoning Ordinances
• Subdivision Regulations
• Planning Commissioner Training
• Zoning Assistance
• Historic Preservation Studies
• Facilitation
• Expert Witness
5MSA PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, INC.
PROJECT APPROACH | METHODOLOGY
Methodology
Scandia’s updated development regulations need to address the
current necessities of the community, and be capable of addressing
future growth in a manner that guides new development in the
direction envisioned by the recently adopted plan. We have
assembled a great team of professionals skilled in authoring
relevant and common-sense regulations for communities.
After reviewing the RFP our team would recommend the
development of a hybrid zoning code in a standard format or in
a UDO approach. The type of regulation undertaken by Scandia
needs to be a user-friendly document, not just for staff, but for the
general public.
Our Team and the City of Scandia
Our team is comprised of skilled and talented professionals
accomplished in their fields. In addition, our team has a strong
understanding of the importance of delivering to our clients more
than expected. The professionals on this team will work directly
with the community to develop and provide a new zoning ordinance
that surpasses expectations.
Our track record shows we will strive to provide the City of Scandia
with a new zoning ordinance tailored to the City’s needs and wish
list.
New Ordinances
Based on the RFP, the City of Scandia is interested in exploring
three types of zoning options: conventional code, a unified
development code (UDC), or a form-based code. Our team’s
experience can provide the City with any of the three concepts;
however, most established communities such as Scandia seem to
work best with a unified development code with some elements of
form-based or design-focused regulations (overlay districts).
The approach to developing the new regulations will be critical
in order to identify portions of the existing code that are currently
working well and to flag those areas needing major overhauls or
rewrites. Our team would propose either an update to the City’s
conventional code or a UDO approach.
The new regulations will be constructed in a manner allowing
flexibility where needed and strict overview as necessary. The goal
will be to minimize the use of variances and provide a code that
everyone understands easily and can be implemented utilizing the
City’s current structure and review processes.
Committee/Public Participation
Key to the success of this project will be a focus on a strong
public participation process with a specific spotlight on those
users of the regulations. The public participation process will
need to be a combination of traditional techniques combined
with digital approaches. Traditional techniques will include focus
group meetings with specific officials, groups, stakeholders and
organizations. The initial phase will consist of collecting input from
the public/users on key needs and issues pertaining to certain
aspects of the different existing code elements. All materials will
be available on a project website managed by the team so anyone
has access to documents whenever it is convenient.
Other approaches which are anticipated include a imaging survey,
which will ask the opinion of residents about the image of the
community and usability of the current regulations.
Project Approach
The project approach to the development regulations update will
occur in two different phases. These phases include:
1. Research and Analysis
2. Construction of New Regulations
PHASE I: BACKGROUND RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS
The goal of the background research/analysis phase is to develop
and determine a direction to follow in constructing a new zoning
ordinance.
The background research/analysis phase of the proposed project
is critical to a successful final set of regulations. This phase will
examine closely the following items within Scandia’s development
ordinances:
• Complete review of the Comprehensive Plan, including
identification of key issues needing to be codified in the new
zoning regulations;
• Review of the existing village, corridor and districts for special
needs;
• Text and layout of the existing zoning ordinances and the
ease of use by the City, developers, and general public;
• Types of uses within the current zoning ordinance;
• Number and need for the different districts and sections within
the current ordinance;
FBC CONVENTIONAL
ZONING UDO
x x Project Budget -
$30,000.00
x x Size of Community -
Est. 4,159 people
x x User-friendly
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MSA PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, INC.6
PROJECT APPROACH | METHODOLOGY
• Specific regulations including the parking and updating sign
codes to meet current federal regulations;
• Existing design and engineering standards within and outside
the current zoning ordinance used in the development
process;
• Different procedures required within the zoning ordinance;
• Other documents and ordinances as needed to make a
positive impact on the new regulations.
From the research and analysis, our team will develop an
outline of items to keep and items that should be updated and/or
removed. During this process, the consulting team will be in close
communication with City staff via email, video conferencing, phone
conversations and face-to-face meetings.
Also, during the research and analysis phase, our team will
conduct meetings with City staff, realtors, builders and developers
to determine how easy the regulations are to use, what seems to
be working and what is not working within the ordinances.
PHASE II: CONSTRUCTION OF NEW REGULATIONS
The second phase of the process includes assembling all of the
analysis, public input and staff input into a new set of regulations
to guide Scandia into the future. Our team has undertaken this
process with all of our past and present clients. The format
developed for the new ordinance will be user-friendly.
Our team has worked with numerous land use and zoning issues
for past clients. The team members strive to continuously update
regulations to fit with current trends and the evolving legalities
surrounding zoning-specific issues. In addition, our experience
provides a research foundation from which new approaches can
be developed addressing the specific needs of a client.
The scope of services and the proposed timeline will provide more
detail on these phases.
Public Engagement Photos. At MSA, we believe that when planning a public project, it must be done with the public’s advice and input. We specialize in
hearing the voices of many citizens through the process of public engagement. Engagement can and should be accomplished by tapping into a variety of
sources, including community and non-profit organizations, public officials, youth, disabled individuals, mature citizens, and those that have been traditionally
underserved.
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MSA PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, INC.7
PROPOSED SCOPE OF WORK
Proposed Scope of Work
The following work items have been developed in response to
the Request For Proposals by the City of Scandia. The following
structure does not imply the work will be completed in a specific
chronological order.
PHASE I: BACKGROUND RESEARCH/ANALYSIS
1. Meet with City staff and Planning Commission for Project
Orientation meeting to establish an understanding of the
process, goals and schedule for the project.
2. Collect existing documents, regulations and standards
pertaining to the update of the zoning ordinances.
3. Conduct analysis of the regulations and standards guiding
development in the City of Scandia.
4. Analyze and inventory the City of Scandia’s existing
development patterns to identify opportunities for revising the
existing zoning regulations as well as other key sections such
as sign regulations.
5. Facilitate a Community Workshop to discuss the project and
identify issues and needs for the new development regulations.
6. Create project website to enhance overall community
engagement and communicate withe engaged stakeholder
regarding process activities and proposed ordinance changes.
7. Facilitate a joint City Council and Planning Commission
workshop to discuss the project and identify issues and
needs for the new development regulations.
8. Meet with various stakeholder groups to identify issues and
needs for new development regulations.
9. Develop an outline of specific issues (positive and negative)
identified within the existing regulations.
10. Evaluate past Zoning Board of Adjustment and Planning
Commission cases to determine opportunities for revisions to
the future regulations.
11. Conduct analysis of all other existing development
elements such as sign regulations, parking and
landscaping and others.
12. Review options for design review process, standards, and
guidelines screening, setbacks, and visual impact of
commercial and industrial developments, particularly for
outdoor storage.
13. Meet with City staff to discuss specific findings of the research
and analysis.
14. Meet with City staff to present and discuss outline for
recommended update/new ordinance(s).
15. Develop a report of research and findings.
Results:
1. Compile existing documents, regulations and standards
regarding the zoning and subdivision regulations.
2. Completed background research/analysis of existing
regulations.
3. Completed outline of findings.
4. Completed report of research findings.
5. Completed community workshop.
6. Launch project website and online engagement.
7. A total of six meetings with six groups of stakeholders.
8. Three meetings with City staff members.
9. One meeting with Council and Planning Commission.
PHASE II: CONSTRUCTION OF NEW REGULATIONS
1. Use findings from Phase I to begin development of new
development regulations.
2. Develop a working outline for this phase of the project with
input from City staff listing the pertinent sections and scope of
their coverage.
3. Develop two working drafts (one will be a tracking of changes
during the ordinance development and one will be a clean
working draft).
4. Develop drafts of specific sections of the new regulations,
including graphics and illustrations, based on analysis.
5. Meet with City staff for in-process review: combination of in-
person and video conference (four meetings).
6. Develop new zoning map to reflect new districts and district
layouts.
7. Develop web-based format (PDF) for public review during
process.
8. Work with City staff to advertise the web-based set of drafts
in the local media. (Fees associated with advertising will be
the responsibility of the city).
9. Meet with stakeholders groups to present draft regulations
and collect feedback.
10. Facilitate a joint City Council and Planning Commission work
session to present draft regulations and collect feedback.
11. Make modifications to draft as discussed with City staff,
Planning Commission, City Council, and stakeholders.
12. Conduct meeting with City staff to review final draft.
13. Facilitate an open house to present final draft general public.
14. Conduct public hearing with the Planning Commission.
15. Conduct public hearing with City Council.
16. Make final modifications to the new regulations.
17. Provide one copy working electronic copy, and one PDF
version of final regulations.
18. Provide the City with a final copy of the new Official Zoning
Map.
PROPOSED APPROACH | WORK PLAN
MSA PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, INC.8
Results:
1. Completed draft copies of new development regulations
including text and graphics and illustrations.
2. Modifications to regulations as determined during identified
meetings.
3. Four meetings with City Staff during the development of new/
updated regulations.
4. A total of six meetings with six groups of stakeholders.
5. An open house to present final draft to the general public.
6. Two public hearings.
7. Electronic copies of the final ordinance text and maps
delivered to the City.
SUPPORT SCANDIA
1. Provide technical support to City officials and staff through
telephone and email consultation and brief reports during
plan process.
2. Staff training on the new regulations throughout the rewriting
process.
3. Provide technical support after completion and adoption of
the plan, by telephone for up to one year after completion of
the regulations.
4. Attend additional meetings as needed at established hourly
rates after the project is complete.
PROPOSED SCHEDULE
Proposed Schedule
May June July August September October November December January February March AprilTask
Project Orientation
Meeting
Background Research
and Analysis
Construction of New
Regulations
Public Hearings
2020 2021
All Meetings as described in the Scope of Work shall be identified at the initial meeting
MSA PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, INC.9
Proposed Costs
Our proposed Scope of Work is to provide the City of Scandia with a Development and Zoning Code Update; either conventional or as a
UDO. The process and final documents will be delivered by our team at a lump sum cost of $30,000.
The cost is inclusive of all direct costs. We are open to discussing any modifications to our scope and any associated cost changes.
A detailed breakdown of the costs follows.
*In our experience, should the City decide in Phase I of the project to pursue creating a Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) to fully
replace the existing development regulations, there will not be an additional cost associated with the selection of only going forward with
the development of a UDO and updated Zoning Map.
Our team is very excited about the opportunity to work with the City of Scandia on your Development and Zoning Code Update and we
know we can provide the updates you need and the public engagement that you desire within your budget. We look forward to working
with you on developing a final scope of work, prior to contracting, that aligns our experience and efforts with your needs and desires.
PHASE FEE
Phase I: Background Research/Analysis $12,500
Phase II: Construction of New Regulations $14,500
Project Management and QA/QC $3,000
Unified Development Code No Additional Fee*
Total $30,000
Rate Schedule
During the course of the project, should the City
of Scandia request additional work not included
in our contracted scope of work, our team is
open to discussing contract amendments for
additional services. Our standard rate schedule
for both hourly (labor) and reimbursable
expenses has been included to serve as a guide
for cost estimating. Our team prefers that any
scope adjustments increasing the amount of
work on this project be negotiated as lump sum
adjustments.
ENGINEERING | PLANNING | ARCHITECTURE | SURVEYING | FUNDING | ENVIRONMENTAL
RRAA TTEE SSCCHHEEDDUULLEE
22002200
CLASSIFICATION LABOR RATE
Architects .......................................................................................... $115 – $175/hr.
Clerical .............................................................................................. $ 60 – $115/hr.
CAD Technician ................................................................................ $ 95 – $143/hr.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) ............................................. $ 75 – $143/hr.
Housing Administration ..................................................................... $ 75 – $120/hr.
Hydrogeologists ................................................................................ $125 – $155/hr.
Planners ............................................................................................ $ 85 – $170/hr.
Principals ........................................................................................... $175 – $275/hr.
Professional Engineers ..................................................................... $ 86 – $190/hr.
Project Manager ................................................................................ $ 150 – $238/hr.
Professional Land Surveyors ............................................................ $ 87 – $165/hr.
Staff Engineers .................................................................................. $ 80 – $150/hr.
Technicians ....................................................................................... $ 65 – $128/hr.
Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator .............................................. $ 75 – $ 95/hr.
REIMBURSABLE EXPENSES
Copies/Prints ................................................................................ Rate based on volume
Fax ............................................................................................... $1.00/page
GPS Equipment ........................................................................... $40/hour
Mailing/UPS ................................................................................. At cost
Mileage – Reimbursement (currently $0.575/mile) ............................. Rate set by Fed. Gov.
Mileage – MSA Vehicle (currently $0.70/mile) ................................... Rate set by Fed. Gov
Nuclear Density Testing ............................................................... $25.00/day + $10/test
Organic Vapor Field Meter ........................................................... $100/day
PC/CADD Machine....................................................................... Included in labor rates
Stakes/Lath/Rods ......................................................................... At cost
Total Station ................................................................................. Included in labor rates
Travel Expenses, Lodging, & Meals ............................................. At cost
Traffic Counting Equipment & Data Processing ........................... At cost
Trimble Geodimeter...................................................................... $30/hour
* Labor rates represent an average or range for a particular job classification. These rates are in effect until
January 1, 2021.
PROPOSED FEE
MSA PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, INC.10
EXPERIENCE | WORK SAMPLES
St. Croix County is facing a spike in urban and exurban growth due to the construction of a new bridge over the St. Croix River that
connects the northern part of the County to the Twin Cities Metro Area. Concerned about the impact of new development pressures, and
already overdue for a thorough overhaul of a code developed in the 1970s and amended in piecemeal fashion since, County staff and
leadership sought a team to help rebuild the ordinance.
MSA teamed with zoning specialist Mark White to walk the County through a 20-month process of review, revision and adoption. A
hallmark of our approach is attention to the interests of the 17 towns under County zoning. These towns have differing needs and
concerns and generally fall into two categories – urbanizing towns on the west end of the county and rural towns to the east end. Our
approach featured a series of clustered town meetings to talk directly with representatives from each of the towns at critical stages in the
process, with the objective of having all 17 towns adopt the revised ordinance. We also utilized a Steering Committee, public meetings,
visits with standing committees, and many meetings with County staff who administer the ordinance.
Zoning Ordinance Comprehensive Update
St. Croix County, WI
EXPERIENCE | WORK SAMPLES
MSA PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, INC.11
Recently Completed Plans and Zoning Ordinance Projects
• Future Land Use Plan Update, Village of Somerset, WI
• Zoning Ordinance Update and Zoning Administration Assistance, Florence Township, MN
• Oak Grove Comprehensive Plan Update, Oak Grove, MN
• Story County Comprehensive Plan, Story County, IA
• Zoning Ordinance Update, St. Croix County, WI
• Parks Assessment and Planner of Record, Pine City, MN
For further information and to view full copies of many recent plans completed by MSA,
please visit: https://issuu.com/msaprofessionalservices
Village of Somerset
Somerset, WI
Bob Gunther | DPW and Economic Development Director
110 Spring Street
Somerset, WI 54025
(715) 247-5555
rmgunther@somtel.net
City of Oak Grove
Oak Grove, MN
Kathy Nielsen | City Clerk
19900 Nightingale Street NW
Oak Grove, MN 55011-9204
(763) 404-7006
knielsen@ci.oak-grove.mn.us
Story County
Story County, IA
Jerry Moore | Planning & Zoning Director
900 6th Street
Nevada, IA 50201-0530
(515) 382-7246
jmoore@storycountyiowa.gov
STORY COUNTY
C2C Plan
“Chris Janson and his team are very responsive and
are producing quality work that will guide the County
well for the foreseeable future.”
- Drew Kamp, Story County
WHAT OUR CLIENTS ARE SAYING.
CITY OF HIAWATHA
2029 Parks and Recreation Vision and Taylor Park
Concept Plan
“... Shawn and Claire have been great to work
with on our updated Comp Plan. They have great
communication, are helpful answering questions and
give quality work.”
- Kelly Willadsen, Parks and Recreation Director
The City of Dubuque is an older historic city along the Mississippi
River with a population of approximately 60,000 people. The
current regulations had not been completely updated in years.
The Unified Development Code was designed to combine a
number of different zoning and development codes into one
document. These included the zoning districts, subdivision
regulations, design criteria, and other key components found in
City Code. A major concern during the project was to develop a
regulation that was one-stop and was user-friendly in the end.
Throughout the process the planning consultants met with key
players in the community including sign company representatives,
developers, housing representatives, staff, legal counsel, and
others.
Items to Address:
There were a number of major issues that needed to be addressed
in the new UDC including:
• Protection of bluffline along Mississippi River
• Historic preservation including updating the preservation
ordinance
• Updating existing Euclidean zoning districts
• Signs
• Big box developments
• Parking standards
• Adult entertainment
• Subdivision regulations
• Incorporation of sustainability concepts
Web Site Location of UDC
http://www.cityofdubuque.org/DocumentView.aspx?DID=1828
Unified Development Code
Dubuque, IA
Iowa Chapter Of American Planning Association
Chapter Award Winner 2010
Excellence Award for Best Practices
2011 winner of the Iowa League of Cities
All-Star Community Award for their Unified Development
Code
Special recognition for Sustainability
Reference Information
Laura Carstens | Planning Director
City of Dubuque
(563) 589-4210 | Lcarstens@cityofdubuque.org
Sergeant Bluff, Iowa hired Marvin Planning Consults in 2012 to
work through their existing zoning and subdivision regulations.
The project was to simplify the regulations and make them more
user-friendly. In addition, the regulations were in serious need of
being updated to deal with a number of new uses.
Issues:
• Create an up to date Zoning and Subdivision Regulation
• Add newer uses that were not addressed in the earlier
regulations.
• Reorganize into a more user-friendly format.
• Address new development pressures due to proximity to
Sioux City.
• Address growth between the community, city of Sioux City,
Interstate 29 and Sioux Gateway Airport.
Zoning and Subdivision Regulation Update 2012
Sergeant Bluff, IA
Reference Information
Aaron Lincoln | City Administrator
City of Sergeant Bluff
(712) 943-2106 | aaron@cityofsergeantbluff.com
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EXPERIENCE | WORK SAMPLES
Keith and Marvin Planning Consultants were hired to work on a
complete revision of the North Platte Zoning Regulations; the city
of North Platte is nearly 25,000 people in western Nebraska. The
regulations in place have been in effect for nearly 20 years. There
have been several issues that have been allowed due to some
vagueness in the language.
Besides tightening up the language, the new zoning regulations
address key issues communities and counties have faced for the
past five years or so, including:
• Updated adult entertainment regulations
• Update cellular communication regulations
• Modifications to the uses allowed in various zoning districts
• Creating a more user-friendly document
• Updated sign regulations
• Updated definitions
• Updated, plus, additional graphics included throughout
The project was a coordinated effort between MPC and the City
Engineering Department; the Engineering Department’s role is to
produce all necessary maps for the project as directed by MPC
staff.
Once completed, the city will have a more user-friendly document
to give out to the community, as well as, enforce.
Zoning and Subdivision Regulation Update - In Progress
North Platte, NE
Reference Information
Judy Clark | City Planner
City of North Platte
(308) 535-6724 ext. 244 | clarkjm@ci.north-platte.ne.us
EXPERIENCE | WORK SAMPLES
MSA PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, INC.13
PROJECT TEAM EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS
Organizational Chart
Team Summary
Christopher Janson, AICP | Project Manager
Chris will serve as the Project Manager on this project. Chris
will supervise and contribute to all aspects of the process, plan
creation and delivery.
Keith Marvin, AICP | Senior Project Planner
Keith will lead the creation of the updated/new development
regulations and coordinate the collective work of the planners.
Claire Michelson | Project Planner
Claire will serve as the primary Project Planner for the City of
Scandia’s Development and Zoning Code Update and will be
heavily involved in all aspects of the process, and delivery as well
as providing assistance on code implementation after delivery.
Kate Eiynck | Project Planner | Client Service Manager
Kate will continue to serve as a Client Service Manager to the
City of Scandia as she also engages on this project as a Project
Planner. Kate will be involved in many aspects of the planning
process with her expertise in Minnesota zoning regulations, and
public engagement.
Jon Herdegen, PE | Project Engineer
Jon will assist in this planning effort as Project Engineer.
Jeff Powell | GIS Specialist
Jeff will provide GIS services for the development of the updated
Zoning Map.
Jason Valerius, AICP | QA/QC
Jason will assist with the development of the plan by provided
quality assurance and quality control review of the process and
plan documents.
Claire Michelson
Project Planner
Jeff Powell
GIS Specialist
Kate Eiynck
Project Planner
Client Service Manager
Christopher Janson, AICP
Project Manager
Jon Herdegen, PE
Project Engineer
Jason Valerius, AICP
QA/QC
Keith Marvin, AICP
Senior Project Planner
MSA PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, INC.14
PROJECT TEAM EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS
Christopher Janson, AICP
Project Manager
Keith has been involved professionally in county and community
planning since 1992. His experience includes all facets of planning,
including public participation, land use, historic preservation, and
economic development. Keith has been involved with projects
in 57 counties in four states and communities ranging from 48
people to over 400,000. His experience includes the states of
Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, and Illinois.
Keith believes the best plans and regulations are those developed
through a partnership between the consulting team and the client.
Plans must be supported locally by the residents and staff in order
for them to be truly implemented. Implementing the community’s
vision is the only way that a plan is ever successful.
Education
M.A., Community and Regional Planning
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
B.S., Architectural Sciences
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Registration
American Institute of Certified Planners, AICP
Selected Project Experience
• Comprehensive Plan | Ellis County, KS
• Comprehensive Plan | Norwalk, IA
• Comprehensive Plan | Ankeny, IA
• Zoning Regulations and Assistance | Sergeant Bluff, IA
• Unified Development Code | • Dubuque, IA *
• Zoning Regulations | Cuming Co., NE
• Comprehensive Plan/Zoning Regulations | Hamilton Co., NE
• Comprehensive Plan/Zoning Regulations | Stanton Co., NE
• Zoning Regulations | Antelope Co., NE
• Zoning Regulations | Dawson Co., NE
• Comprehensive Plan | Dawson Co., NE
• Wind Turbine Regulations | Pierce Co., NE
• Zoning Regulations | Chase Co., NE
*Denotes experience while with a prior firm.
Keith Marvin, AICP
Senior Project Planner
Chris serves as a Senior Project Planner for MSA’s Planning
and Design Studio. In this role, he focuses on serving municipal
clients in the areas of project management, comprehensive
planning, zoning administration, development review, funding
administration, GIS mapping, and plan implementation. While
at MSA, he has secured more than $10 million in grant funding.
Chris has more than 13 years of experience as a land use planner
with planning offices in Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, and Minnesota.
Education
B.S., Community and Regional Planning
Iowa State University
Certifications
American Institute of Certified Planners, AICP
Selected Project Experience
Comprehensive Plan | Story County, IA | APA-IA Award
Recipient 2016
Led the planning team and public engagement process for the
Story County Cornerstone to Capstone Plan.
Comprehensive Plan Update | Ellis County, KS
Assisting Keith Marvin of MPC with GIS mapping and public
engagement for the update of the Ellis County Comprehensive
Plan.
Future Land Use Plan Update | Somerset, WI
Updated the future land use plan and map for the Village of
Somerset, WI.
Zoning Ordinance Update | St. Croix County, WI
Assisting with public engagement in the overhaul of St. Croix
County's (MSP Metro Area) zoning ordinance and conversion
to online code.
Comprehensive Plan Update | Lexington, MN
Managing the creation of the 2040 Lexington Comprehensive
Plan and providing continual Planning Services to the
community through development review assistance.
Countywide Trail and Recreation Plan | Washington, IA
Managed the creation and public engagement for the
Washington County Regional Trails and Recreation Plan.
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PROJECT TEAM EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS
Claire serves as a planner for MSA’s Planning & Design Studio
and has worked on a variety of engineering and planning-
related projects. Claire has experience in facilitating public
engagement activities, site development review, zoning review
and administration, GIS map creation, and document creation
and writing. She assists with planning projects in a variety of
capacities and is passionate about community engagement and
the connections that she makes with communities, helping them
become better places to live, work and play.
Education
B.S., Community and Regional Planning
Iowa State University
Selected Project Experience
Comprehensive Plan | Thomson, MN
Led the public engagement section of the plan. Kept
communication with the client throughout the process to keep
them up to date, and participated in community outreach, pop-
up events and other meetings to engage the full spectrum of
community members, summarizing feedback gathered into the
plan.
Florence Township Zoning Assistance Administration I
Florence Township, MN
Assisted the Township Board of Supervisors and the Planning
and Zoning Commission with zoning reviews. Wrote and
created new, user friendly zoning applications.
Shafer Zoning Assistance and Administration I Shafer MN
Assisted in reviewing zoning applications for the City and
created user friendly zoning process checklists for city staff
and officials.
2030 Park Vision | Hiawatha, IA
Assisting with the facilitation of stakeholder meetings,
crowdsource mapping, community survey creation and
committee meetings. Authored the plan document and
assisting with writing, visioning, and research.
Downtown Master Plan | Clinton, IA
Created a crowdsource mapping application for the public
input portion of the project. Assisted with document creation
and writing.
Claire Michelson
Project Planner
Kate has more than 19 years of client relations management
experience. She serves as MSA’s client liaison for several
municipalities in Minnesota, leveraging her strong communication
skills to make sure project teams are meeting clients’ expectations.
Education
B.A., Psychology and Fine Arts
Hamline University
Additional Coursework
Professional Development – Mini Master of Project Management,
Executive Education | University of St. Thomas
Professional Development – Master of Urban and Regional
Planning (MURP) Degree Program Course Work | Humphrey
School of Public Affairs
Professional Development – Master of Architecture (M Arch 1)
Course Work | University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture
Selected Project Experience
Urban Fringe District Health Impact Assessment (HIA) |
Goodhue County, MN*
Health Impact Assessment (HIA) provides a framework and
procedure for estimating the impact of a proposed program or
policy action on a selected environmental health issue for a
defined population. Goodhue County Land Use Management,
in collaboration with Goodhue County Health and Human
Services, conducted a Health Impact assessment (HIA) to
inform which health impacts to consider when deciding zoning
district changes.
Comprehensive Plan | Goodhue County, MN*
The Goodhue County 2016-2040 Comprehensive Plan
represents the fourth plan the county has developed. The
purpose of the plan is to provide general guidelines to help
manage growth and land use changes, and to promote sound
management of the land and water resources within the county.
*Denotes experience prior to MSA.
Kate Eiynck
Project Planner
Client Service Manager
MSA PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, INC.16
PROJECT TEAM EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS
Jon Herdegen, PE
Project Engineer
Jon is an accomplished and multi-
talented Team Leader with more than
15 years of municipal engineering
experience in planning, designing and
administering public works projects
complemented with offering maintenance
support to municipal utility systems. He
possesses expert knowledge in municipal
management, budgeting, city ordinance
development and implementation,
regulatory compliance, and utility
construction standards and inspections.
He is extremely skilled in constructing,
maintaining and renovating public works
infrastructure including streets, water
systems, stormwater management and
sanitary sewer.
EDUCATION
B.S., Civil Engineering
North Dakota State University
REGISTRATION
Professional Engineer, MN
SELECTED PROJECT EXPERIENCE
• Engineer of Record | Newport, MN
• Consulting City Engineer | Shafer,
MN
• Wastewater Treatment Facility
Improvements | St. Croix Falls,
MN
Jeff Powell
GIS Specialist
Jeff specializes in ArcGIS Online custom
configurations for municipal clients
seeking advanced asset management
solutions for the field and office. He
provides comprehensive GIS services
to over 10 municipal clients in the Twin
Cities Metro and western Wisconsin
including Lindstrom, Newport, Oak Grove,
Somerset, Cumberland Utilities, Rice
Lake Utilities, Ladysmith, and Hayward.
In addition, his background as an FAA
Remote sUAS Pilot and environmental
scientist support the MN Program at MSA.
EDUCATION
B.A., Biology and Environmental Science
Coe College
SELECTED PROJECT EXPERIENCE
• ArcGIS Online Utility Asset
Management Implementation |
Somerset, WI
• South Pointe Business Park
Promotional GIS Application |
Sparta, WI
• ArcGIS Online Utility Asset
Management Implementation |
Lindstrom, MN
Jason Valerius, AICP
QA/QC
Jason has more than 17 years of
community planning and design
experience across the Midwest. He
has led the development of economic
development plans, comprehensive
plans, neighborhood plans and zoning
ordinances. As Team Leader for the
Madison-based Planning and Design
team, Jason manages a talented staff with
expertise ranging from comprehensive
planning, transportation planning, and
economic development plans to park and
recreation plans, landscape architecture,
and urban design. Jason also serves on
the Board of the Wisconsin Chapter of the
American Planning Association, currently
as President.
EDUCATION
M.S., Architecture and Urban Planning
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
B.A., Government/Psychology
Lawrence University
CERTIFICATION
American Institute of Certified Planners
SELECTED PROJECT EXPERIENCE
• Land Development Code Update
| Eau Claire County, WI
• Zoning Administrator | Lowell, WI
• Zoning Administration and
Development Review Assistance
| Waunakee, WI
• Zoning Ordinance Creation |
Stockton, IL
MSA PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, INC.17