Council expands multiple local historic districts to protect downtown and neighborhood buildings

The Lafayette City Council on May 4 approved multiple ordinances to expand local historic districts and to adjust district naming to simplify future additions.

Michael Sennett of the city’s economic-development staff described the downtown proposal as protections "to maintain the historic integrity of our downtown city" and explained similar protections for properties on Erie Street and other neighborhoods. He said renaming the St. Mary’s/1116 Columbia Street district will make it easier to include properties in the future without reverting to a single-address name.

Council thanked property owners for cooperating and voted to approve the ordinances on second reading, each by a 7-0 roll-call vote.

The ordinances add exterior-protection designations for identified structures and adjust naming conventions where indicated. City staff said the measures are intended to preserve architectural character while enabling compatible future infill.