Baldwin Park approves $65,000 contract for preapproved ADU plans to speed home additions

The City of Baldwin Park on Dec. 3 approved a professional services contract with RRM Design Group to produce preapproved accessory dwelling unit (ADU) construction plans the city will make available to residents at no cost. Council voted 4–0 to award the contract, which staff said will not exceed $65,000.

City staff presented six conceptual designs submitted by RRM as part of the firm's response to a September RFP: a 550‑square‑foot studio, an 800‑square‑foot one‑bedroom and a 1,000‑square‑foot two‑bedroom model, each shown in Spanish and traditional architectural elevations. The plans are intended to meet minimum state ADU requirements and local ordinance standards and to be pre‑vetted by planning and building staff to speed permitting.

"Staff recommends that the city council award a contract for professional design services to RRM Design Group in the amount not to exceed 65,000 to draft full construction plans for preapproved ADU plans to be made available to the public at no cost," a staff presenter said during the council presentation.

Supporters on the dais argued the program will reduce time and cost for homeowners. "A lot of community members have been wanting to do ADUs… and sometimes they just don't know where to go," Council Member Emmanuel Estrada said. He framed the effort as a consumer protection and affordability measure to prevent homeowners from hiring poor‑quality contractors or paying for plans that later fail to win permits.

Staff and council members discussed aesthetic concerns and intellectual‑property protections. Planners said the RFP specified two architectural style suites to reflect the city's common building types; property owners may still pursue custom plans through the standard plan‑check process if they prefer different facades. Staff also said the selected architect will relinquish copyright to the city so the plans can be reused by residents and the city can assert rights if the plans are used improperly elsewhere.

City staff highlighted projected savings for homeowners — roughly $6,000 to $12,000 in design fees — and emphasized the time savings from pre‑vetted plans. One councilmember noted a recent ADU example in a neighboring city that cost roughly $160,000 to build, underscoring potential overall project costs beyond design fees.

The council motion to approve item 6 was made by Council Member Emmanuel Estrada and seconded by Mayor Alejandra Avila. The roll call vote was: Ayala — yes; Estrada — yes; Lozano — yes; Avila — yes.

The contract authorizes staff to finalize scope and costs and return with contract documents. Staff said the program can be terminated in the future if council directs, but tonight's vote moves the city forward with the preapproved ADU program.