Lafayette City Council Meeting - May 19, 2026

This meeting covered a wide range of topics, including extensive public input on the cemetery moratorium, approval of a car wash special use review, an economic development update, and a land use code update with direction on several key provisions. Council also approved board and commission appointments.

Consent Calendar

• Approved items A through I (including April meeting minutes, budget appropriation, floodplain improvements, licensing authority appointments, intergovernmental agreements, and a pocket park contract) with item H (pocket park contract) pulled for separate discussion and subsequently approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Cemetery Moratorium (majority of public input): Nearly 20 speakers, including Frank Archuletta, Ernie Garcia, Gary Posey, Chris Donlinger, and others, expressed strong opposition to the proposed resolution to prohibit casket burials in the Lafayette Cemetery. They argued that the city sold 270 burial plots, creating a contract that should be honored. Speakers cited the GPR survey showing no evidence of stacking or overlapping graves, and urged council to allow individual plot-by-plot assessments or to grandfather existing plot owners. Many shared emotional stories of family members wishing to be buried together. Several speakers also offered creative solutions, such as hand-digging, vertical stacking, or individual plot surveys funded by families.
• Land Use Code Update: Ron Smallton urged tabling the Neighborhood Serving Commercial (NSC) zoning, citing lack of public outreach and potential conflicts with existing PUDs and HOAs. Vicky Euland (speaking as a land use code working group member) supported tabling NSC and raised concerns about building heights in Old Town, requesting that the 35-foot limit be maintained. Bonnie Freeman also spoke against taller buildings in Old Town, warning of canyon-like streets. Another speaker, Nick Torres, spoke in favor of the tobacco retail license policy, citing youth vaping data.

Discussion Items

• Response to Cemetery Public Input: Council members expressed empathy and acknowledged the community's pain. They discussed the need for a separate community listening session (already in the works for early June) and directed staff to ensure better communication with plot owners. Some council members suggested walking the cemetery with families or doing additional analysis of the GPR data before the community meeting.
• Pocket Park Contract (Item H): Councilor Gianola raised concerns about park furniture, pollinator gardens, and use of historic bricks. Staff confirmed flexibility to incorporate changes (e.g., adding dwarf rabbit brush, signage). The contract was approved unanimously.
• Car Wash Special Use Review (Resolution 2026-15): Staff and applicant Ted Lopez presented the proposed 4,900 sq ft car wash at 2378 Highway 287. Planning commission recommended approval with conditions including a high-contrast crosswalk and an 8-foot wall around the trash enclosure. Council discussed traffic, noise, water recycling, lighting, and landscaping. The applicant agreed to explore solar panels and additional screening. The public hearing had no speakers. Council approved the resolution with the planning commission's conditions.
• Economic Development Update: Directors Bridget and Isabella presented on strategic plan goals, partnerships (Small Business Development Center, Latino Chamber, etc.), the small business capital grant program (56 applications, over $2M private investment), and the Vacant to Vibrant pilot program. They highlighted upcoming projects including the Sundance Film Festival's regional impact, redevelopment of the former Chase Bank site, a boutique motel conversion at Tiptop, and other DDA-area projects. Council discussed vacancy rates, the need for a hotel, and Sundance marketing.
• Land Use Code Update: Planning Manager Phil Kleisler presented on three remaining issues: Neighborhood Serving Commercial (NSC), Building Height, and Missing Middle Housing. After discussion, council directed staff to: (1) Table NSC for further study; (2) Table building height changes and instead rely on a discretionary height adjustment process through planning commission and council; (3) Move forward with Missing Middle Housing, but with additional objective criteria (e.g., on-street parking, sidewalks) rather than a map-based approach. Staff will bring the full code update to planning commission in June and council in July.
• Council Appointments: Appointments were approved for the Cultural Arts Board, Historic Preservation Commission, Older Adults Advisory Board, Sustainability and Resilience Advisory Board, and Human Rights Board (with Councilor Boulier recused from voting on his spouse's appointment to the Human Rights Board).

Key Outcomes

• Cemetery: No action taken (not on agenda). Council committed to a community listening session in early June and directed staff to improve communication with plot owners. Some council members expressed interest in visiting the cemetery with families.
• Car Wash (Resolution 2026-15): Approved unanimously with planning commission conditions (high-contrast crosswalk, 8-foot trash enclosure wall).
• Pocket Park Contract: Approved unanimously (item H).
• Land Use Code Update: Council directed staff to table NSC and height provisions, and to move forward with Missing Middle Housing using objective criteria. Staff will bring the full code to planning commission in June and council in July.
• Board Appointments: Approved as recommended, with the first Human Rights Board appointment (Mary Badabi, spouse of Councilor Boulier) approved after Councilor Boulier recused himself.
• RTD Skyride: Council discussed supporting the RTD Skyride bus service from Longmont to DIA with a stop at the Lafayette Park & Ride. Staff will draft a letter of support, and council will receive an update before finalizing.
• Future Meetings: Workshops scheduled for May 26 (communications framework, building code update) and June 2 (Willoughby sketch plan, wildland-urban interface code, affordable housing fee discussion).