Lafayette City Council Meeting - February 17, 2026

The Lafayette City Council met on February 17, 2026. The meeting began with a roll call establishing a quorum, and the council excused Mayor Tapia Vega and Councilor Bullier. Public input covered multiple topics, including the Kensington/Tebow property development, the Lafayette Cemetery, the historic Coca-Cola/Pat & Gar's Highway Bar sign, drainage maintenance, and community trail use. The council also heard a presentation on the Coca-Cola sign options, ratified the appointment of Brian Rosapepe as Police Chief, and received staff and council reports.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Preston Patton (2389 Indian Peaks Trail) spoke against the Kensington development at 287 and Arapahoe, calling for a welcoming gateway to Lafayette. He noted a petition with over 2,600 signatures (1,000 from Lafayette residents) asking the council to reject the current annexation plan. He urged the council to overcome zoning and comprehensive plan challenges to create a better alternative.
• Haruka Watson spoke on the cemetery issue, stating that when the KKK ran Lafayette, only Protestant white graves were marked, and the rest were discarded. She criticized the city for closing the cemetery and urged reopening it, saying families deserve burial rights.
• Michael Watson (708 South Carol Avenue) argued that the city’s dependence on sales tax from large corporations makes it hard to reject development like Kensington. He proposed keeping affordable housing from that proposal while rejecting the rest, suggesting a low-density, permanently affordable housing model with high environmental standards. He asked for 15–20 minutes at a future meeting for citizens to present an alternative plan.
• Doug Conaro discussed the Coca-Cola sign, stating the single-source quote from a Connecticut company was inflated (up to $100,000) and that there was no competitive bidding process. He argued that LUFA (Lafayette Urban Renewal Authority) had not fulfilled its easement obligation to maintain the sign, and that moving it would kill the easement agreement. He urged the council to keep the sign in place and hold LUFA responsible.
• Frank Archelletta asked for equal burial rights for all families with plots at the Lafayette Cemetery. He stated the moratorium on burials was already broken when Fred Smith was buried in a coffin in Potter’s Field. He argued the GPR study goes eight-feet wide and deep, and that the city should allow full-coffin burials, especially on the east end.
• Samantha Brown discussed “social trails” created by repeated walking, noting it takes 500–1,000 passes to alter vegetation. She suggested these trails indicate unmet public needs and asked the city to decide whether to formalize them or enforce closures.
• Vicki Yuland (303 West Simpson Street) spoke on the Coca-Cola sign, noting that 62 residents and businesses contributed $126,000 for its restoration, with a promise the city would maintain it. She argued that LUFA failed to meet its legal obligation, and that options 2 and 3 (moving indoors or storing) are not viable because no indoor public space currently exists. She supported restoration at its current location and a competitive bidding process.
• Rick Ross, owner of 103 North Public Road (where the sign is located), offered to take ownership of the sign if the city funds its restoration. He opposed moving or storing the sign.
• Todd Olheiser (2440 Bitter Root Circle) requested annual maintenance of the Bullhead Gulch drainage channel on the Indian Peaks golf course to prevent flooding like he experienced in 2021 ($200,000 in damages). He noted the channel was cleared last year and asked that it continue annually.

Presentation: Coca-Cola/Pat & Gar's Highway Bar Sign

Economic Development Director and LUFA Executive Director Bridget Keating presented options for the historic sign located at 103 North Public Road. The sign, originally from 201 North Public Road, was restored in 2016 at a cost of $136,000 ($126,000 from community donations). A 2023–2024 assessment by John Canning Co. found significant deterioration due to sun and wind exposure. The Historic Preservation Commission recommended moving it indoors to preserve its integrity, but no suitable city facility was found. A potential Colorado Register of Historic Places designation was noted as a possible funding source. Options presented:

• Option 1: Restore (up to $100,000) and keep in place with enhanced protections (up to $15,000), plus removal/trucking ($15,000) – total up to $130,000, with ongoing maintenance costs.
• Option 2: Restore and move indoors (restoration up to $115,000), with sub-options: a new rotating art mural program (up to $25,000) or a replica (up to $65,000).
• Option 3: Remove and store without restoration ($7,500).

Council discussion focused on the high cost, the need for more information, and the potential for amending the local landmark ordinance to include signs. The council also expressed interest in exploring partnerships with the building owner, universities, and community fundraising, as well as seeking input from the Historic Preservation Board, Lafayette Historical Society, and Cultural Arts Board.

Discussion Items

• Consent Agenda: Approved as presented, except Item B (lease of Thomas Open Space to Red Wagon Organic Farm LLC), which was pulled. The council voted unanimously to approve the lease.
• Landmark Designation: The council discussed amending the local landmark ordinance to include signs, potentially allowing the Coca-Cola sign to be designated, and exploring dual registration with the Colorado Register of Historic Places.

Key Outcomes

• Police Chief Appointment: The council unanimously ratified Resolution 2026-05, ratifying City Manager’s appointment of Brian Rosapepe as Police Chief. Councilors praised his 25 years of service and community trust.
• Coca-Cola Sign: Staff was directed to gather additional information, including: a qualitative assessment from the Historic Preservation Board, the cost of the 2024 assessment, details on landmark designation benefits and competitiveness, feasibility of deconstructing the sign, exploration of other private partner options, potential funding sources (including LUFA and community fundraising), and timeline and cost for removing and storing the sign. Staff will report back with a work plan.
• Future Meeting Items: The February 24 workshop will cover open space program/property acquisition, water supply update, and board/commission work plan. The March 3 meeting will feature the annual municipal court update and first readings of easements with CDOT and Boulder County.