The log cabin in Lafayette’s Key Park—the oldest building in Lafayette—is going to be renovated into a museum depicting life in the 1800s, the City of Lafayette decided this week. Whittemore presented the idea to the Lafayette City Council during their Tuesday night meeting. She said that the society intends to clean the cabin and set it up the way it would have been set up about 200 years ago, when one of Lafayette’s founding families lived there.
“We don’t want it in our name,” said Whittemore, “we just want to be stewards.” The structure belongs to the City of Lafayette, and Lafayette council voted to find $500 out of the Parks and Recreation budget to donate to the project, as well as to remove plumbing fixtures and shut the water off. The cabin is wired for electricity, but Society members plan to put old-fashioned lantern style lighting in, with small bulbs which will also save power.
When groups or individuals want to take a tour of the place, they’ll call the H&G Society to be shown around. “A lot of kids don’t have a clue how it used to be,” said Whittemore. “People can bring their children or grandchildren and let them see.”
The City Council will re-evaluate the arrangement every year.
Other Items covered:
*A public hearing was held to solicit public comments on the proposed ordinance to amend Title 14, zoning and land use control (Chapter 2, Section 14-202) of the municipal code of Lafayette. The amendment would increase lot areas size requirements from 9,000 to 15,000 square feet for two-family structures such as duplexes.
The ordinance had been proposed in response to property owners who wanted to protect against density and shoddy appearance that could cut into home value. Response on the floor, however, showed a strong opposing opinion. Property developers and landlords pointed out the problem of cost-effectiveness. If they couldn’t maximize a lot’s income by putting multiple units on it, they would be unable to develop or maintain their structures without raising rent. “People out here can’t afford $600, $700 rent,” said Dale Hix at the podium. “I’m not for [this amendment]—I don’t like the way it’s worded, and I don’t think it’ll accomplish what you want.”
Council members assured all present that they intended to find a solution that would be in the best interests of all involved. Mayor Driver announced that a planning session will be scheduled, with developers, homeowners, and local experts, to discuss the issue at length.
*Nancy Doss at the Macon County Library gracefully led the Council through a detailed description of the library improvements underway. The project is in three phases. The first will be an addition that will provide space for library programs, kitchen, and storage, as well as enlarging and renovating lobby and restrooms. “The library has 9,400 patrons,” said Doss. “7,000 of them reside in the city of Lafayette.”
The new program facilities will be built in such a way that they can be closed off from the rest of the library; this means that local organizations could use the space after library hours.
The second phase involves a new roof for the whole building, and the third phase involves a new heating and cooling system. Doss said that grants and budget will cover all of the library renovations except for the parking lot addition that will have to take place to accommodate the changed shape of the building. She asked the City for a contribution, adding that the project would be $19,000 but that they’ve gotten some private donation toward the cause.
The Council resolved to discuss the matter further and appoint a committee, adding that it could possibly donate dirt for leveling from the land out by the airport that is being worked on.
*A resident of Hollis Bradley Town & Country subdivision on Chitwood Rd stood and mentioned to the Council that they had been experiencing issues with the water lines for years. Pipes were bursting often, and residents had low water pressure in general. He requested further investigation, adding that it would surely cost less to install new pipes than to be sending crews out every other week to do work. Mayor Driver assured him it would be looked into, after his story was corroborated by the
*Ordinances 620, 621, 622, 624, and 625 were adopted, providing for the annexation and zoning of property owned by C.J. Ray and Bob and Shirley Haynes, and the zoning of newly annexed Harris property.
A public hearing was held prior to the meeting of the Council to solicit public comments about proposed zoning for two small lots of property located at eastern corporate limits of the city of Lafayette and 66 Bradley Hollow Rd, owned by C.J. Ray and C.J. Ray and Bob and Shirley Haynes, respectively.
*Ordinance 619 amended the 2011/2012 budget for industrial park appropriations on second and final reading.
*A resolution to authorize the City of Lafayette’s participation in a safety partner loss control matching safety grant program.
*Employee evaluations and salary increases were approved on the following: Phillip Brawner, Public Works Director; Johnny Driver, Sewer; Chris Meador, Water; Mike Tomlin, Gas; Bruce Thomas, Gas; Shane Reed, Police; Danny Meador, Police.
*City authorized participation in an auction to sell city surplus vehicles and other items and equipment.
*Chris Ballou recommended the City award the Akersville Rd. water line project to Bolton Construction Co. of Lafayette, whose low bid came in at $210,725.06.
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