Consulting Services Investment Attraction Site Analysis

The consulting firm will perform the following:Conduct the necessary research to develop and present a comprehensive report for each of 18 development sites throughout the Sarnia-Lambton area. The report is to be largely based on providing data associated with “Schedule A” of the Investment Read Certified Site Program Application, with key sections related to: (1) Lot Details, (2) Land Use Planning Information, (3) Municipal / Regional Economic Development Initiatives, (4) Previous Uses Information, (5) Significant Features Checklist, (6) Transportation, (7) Utilities, and (8) Relationship with Indigenous Communities. Some modifications, additions, and subtractions of items found within Schedule A are expected.In order for SLEP to put forward development sites to potential clients, the organization must understand the ability of each site to accommodate the infrastructure requirements of potential investments. In generating the site reports it is expected that the consultant will identify and present the size of and capacities of each type of utility infrastructure (water, sewer, natural gas, hydro). Additionally, through the report, SLEP would like to understand the currently available service capacities for existing infrastructure. This means identifying what volumes of a utility’s existing unallocated infrastructure is available at a given/current point in time, including availability for peak use, average use, and excess capacity. Where it is determined that service capacities are insufficient for industrial development comment should be made on the ability to increase service capacities of the relevant utilities.An understanding of the priority industrial sectors for the Sarnia-Lambton and surrounding region is essential, and can be derived from the Foreign Direct Investment Strategy & Action Plan (2018), the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Development Strategic Plan (2018-2023), and the concurrently occurring Investment Attraction Sector Analysis and Action Plan (2020). Utilizing information from these documents and other sources, the consultant is to analyze and present on compatible sectors or developments associated with each site. This will require an assessment of the relevant zoning by-laws for each property and the identification of permitted uses. The result should be commentary on the type of industrial operations that are occurring on the property, the future potential and direction of the site and how it can benefit industrial operations in the Sarnia-Lambton area.This is to be supplemented by an assessment of each site’s alignment with development opportunities and inquiries that were actively pursued by SLEP in 2019 and 2020. This will assist in determining the sites applicability for similar investment types in the future.The list of sites that will be included in this project is available to interested consulting firms by contacting matthew@sarnialambton.on.caThe comprehensive report for each site should include an aerial photo (GIS based) and contextual map of the property including identification of site boundaries and key features and indication of the net developable area. The report should also comment on the availability of the following key items for each site derived from “Schedule B” of the Investment Read Certified Site Program Application:· In-effect municipal Official Plan and applicable Zoning By-Law excerpts· Property survey that includes all Lots that forms the Site· Parcel Register· Plan of Subdivision· Environmental Site Assessment(s) – Phases I – II· Environmental Impact Assessment· Record of Site condition· Archaeological Assessment(s) – Stages 1-4· Species at risk assessment· Servicing report(s)· Technical heritage study· Geotechnical report· Utility maps indicating the location of servicesThe presentation of lot information associated with “Schedule A” of the Investment Read Certified Site Program Application and associated analyses for each site is expected to be approximately 10-pages in length.The report is to include an evaluation of each sites competitive position in the marketplace. This comparative analysis is to be completed offering comparisons of the Sarnia-Lambton sites to a priority development site from each of the following five competing regions (Windsor area, London, Chatham-Kent, Strathroy, Woodstock). The comparative analysis is to include site details associated with “Schedule A” of the Investment Read Certified Site Program Application, and provide commentary on the strengths and weakness of sites in the Sarnia-Lambton area versus the sites from the competing regions.The lot information associated with the comprehensive report for each of the 18 sites in Sarnia-Lambton and 5 sites in competing regions is to be added to a sortable database which will allow SLEP to identify sites with the capabilities to accommodate future industrial development opportunities.The consultant is expected to work with SLEP, private and public site owners, municipal and County staff, utility providers, and other relevant partners to accumulate, organize, and assess the information and data required to complete each site report, and associated competitive analysis and analysis of compatible sectors.The consultant should propose a phased approach whereby the listing of site details, analysis of competitive position of the site, recommendations for compatible sectors or developments, and examination of the sites alignment with 2019-2020 investment opportunities and inquiries are reviewed with SLEP staff before proceeding to the next phase.