Brick Street Ordinance Passed!
May 4, 2017 Update
The city council approved the ordinance on second reading by a vote of 8-0, which makes this ordinance a law! Of interest, from paragraph B:
Repair, maintenance or restoration of brick streets shall preserve the integrity and character of the brick street. For brick streets, except as provided in section (C) the following shall apply:
1) Work that requires removal of historic brick pavers shall be restored using historic brick pavers.
2) Curbs shall be repaired or replaced in a manner that minimizes the loss of historic bricks.
3) Boundaries between the brick street and other paved streets shall be maintained in a manner that minimizes uneven rough surface transitions.
March 9, 2017 Update
An initial ordinance aimed at protecting brick streets was drafted by the city attorney. Upon review, concerns were expressed that it wasn’t strong enough. Therefore, some revisions have been proposed. You can review the proposed second version and a description of the revisions here:
Dec 14, 2016 Update
The city council ordinance committee met and discussed the pros and cons of establishing an ordinance to protect brick streets. The city attorney is working on a draft ordinance that will hopefully come before the city council the first quarter of 2017.
Original October 2016 Post
With the removal of the historic bricks on Sixth Street, there is now concern about what this may mean for the fate of the other remaining brick streets throughout the City. Highland Park is a historic neighborhood, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and its brick streets are part of the neighborhood charm and aesthetic. Supporting historic preservation is in the best interest of Highland Park.
An online poll was created in September 2016 to determine HPNA member interest in supporting a citywide ordinance to protect historic brick streets. HPNA members were emailed the following question, requesting a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer:
Do you support the Highland Park Neighborhood Association in approaching the City of Lafayette about creating and enforcing an ordinance that would protect our remaining brick streets throughout the City?
Of the 104 members emailed, 43 responded “yes” and 1 “no”. Additionally, four residents along 12th Street, a brick street, contacted HPNA voicing their support for an ordinance.
Listed below is a proposed ordinance aiming to preserve the remaining brick streets in town. Please also review the PDF highlighting the importance of this issue.
As always, you can contact the HPNA with questions or comment.
