[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6031524,"mediaKeyId","5479813-79299382aa2874e118afb2c2bac181c2","parentId",5479813,"title","City council rejects proposed ADU rule change after lengthy public comment","audioSeconds",1785,"startMs",1224000,"endMs",3009000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5479813-79299382aa2874e118afb2c2bac181c2&start=1224&end=3009","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5479813-79299382aa2874e118afb2c2bac181c2/thumbnail_1224000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6031524/West-Lafayette-City/Tippecanoe-County/Indiana/City-council-rejects-proposed-ADU-rule-change-after-lengthy-public-comment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6031524-b27cacb83a24a2e5d2182415345c10b0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166012&Signature=SZNxbhmde42Jv0Cum2SvaLOj8IW9eQHreF2B~Ou-hSnL4YUByTMWjgyqDXOygUT84lbqgRjTkBq4Il8qKG4NCLNirBP171Gj2vIzX2PmXZyJrFuMwLUOS5jmgRiFmS6d8-ESjZCtVSRKNT8NHAXSm5dZmN1VoWWBXuAup417GdojXa1LRgltAjapCfZq0CZH3sqMafjPLHSlWcx6fOIfkCpnlIqXux1DhtmULbaL1bGEJKpG0RwJLiV0LVsO3K3uwVEkE8JmxWEZlkfqazV3tsW05VQrUd4hdaEqzKB322aeVHm0BJvgyKaltV5UhiUysHqejlw41kTuzrERBJSTGQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","West Lafayette City, IN","date","2025-03-03T00:00:00Z","article","The West Lafayette City Council voted 7-1 on March 3 to reject Ordinance 1-2025, an Area Planning Commission (APC)–sponsored amendment that would have permitted accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in portions of the Unified Zoning Ordinance (UZO).

The ordinance would have created a voluntary pathway for homeowners to add ADUs with several guardrails, including owner-occupancy requirements and size limits, as an approach described by proponents as “gentle densification.” The City Clerk called the roll and the final tally was seven nays and one aye; Councilor Blanco was recorded as the sole vote in favor.

Supporters said the change was a modest tool to add housing options near campus and in older neighborhoods. Opponents — including several neighborhood residents who spoke during the public comment period — said the measure risked eroding neighborhood character, would be difficult to enforce, and could accelerate conversions to rental properties.

Councilor Blanco said the proposal offered a small, controlled expansion of housing options; council members who opposed the ordinance said the city had not done sufficient outreach and that enforcement and parking concerns remained unresolved. \"I will be voting no on the ADU ordinance, not because I don't like the idea of ADUs ... but I would like to see us go back and maybe take a more conservative relook,\" Councilor Bellisario said during council discussion.

Residents who spoke during the public comment period described a range of views. Marion Welsh of Riverton Drive said, \"I am opposed to the ADU,\" and described complaints she has made about rental maintenance and late-night parties in her neighborhood. Alex Spears, who described himself as a nearby resident, argued ADUs would help seniors and working families afford to stay in the city, saying, \"the cost of assisted living is $5,000 per month,\" and calling student housing dynamics part of the fiscal picture. Zachary Veil urged the council to \"follow the public\" and vote down the ordinance, citing concerns about parking, green space and neighborhood character.

The discussion included references to the New Chauncey neighborhood plan and earlier zoning changes intended to step density down from campus-adjacent parcels. Several councilors and speakers urged stronger coordination with Purdue University and more targeted outreach before changing zoning rules. Multiple speakers asked for enforcement of existing rental and property-maintenance rules before enabling an additional layer of housing options.

Because the ordinance came to the council as an APC-submitted UZO amendment on its first and only reading, the council took a single roll-call vote after public comment. The motion to hear and vote on the ordinance was moved and seconded by councilors on the floor; the clerk recorded the vote as follows: Bellisario — No; Blanco — Aye; Dennis — No; Lee — No; Burr — No; Parker — No; Sanders — No; Veta Manis — No. The motion failed and the ordinance did not advance.

Council members and several speakers said housing remains a top priority for the city and that additional planning and public engagement will follow. The mayor and the newly appointed housing director were cited by councilors as resources to coordinate future work on housing strategy.

Votes and next steps: the ADU amendment (Ordinance 1-2025) failed on the council floor; councilors said they will continue housing work through the mayor's office and the new housing director.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","West Lafayette City Council - Mar 3, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The West Lafayette City Council voted 7-1 on March 3 to reject Ordinance 1-2025, an Area Planning Commission (APC)–sponsored amendment that would have permitted accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in portions of the Unified Zoning Ordinance (UZO).","taxTitle","West Lafayette City, Tippecanoe County, Indiana","taxId",55551,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6031515,"Council approves series of ordinances; summary of votes and key items",173,3297000,3470000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5479813-79299382aa2874e118afb2c2bac181c2&start=3297&end=3470","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5479813-79299382aa2874e118afb2c2bac181c2/thumbnail_3297000.jpg","/articles/6031515/West-Lafayette-City/Tippecanoe-County/Indiana/Council-approves-series-of-ordinances-summary-of-votes-and-key-items","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6031515-1cbabcafa9235e9fe84a5014e66a61cb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166012&Signature=gr9uiAcOX1UBoIzDDGRdgEVC9t95eFmdZ6ZN1nP8n-mGaPvIvkAe8ET8tgnyYxGPuqrrofT05ksqDyCgvb9teCvEWWKSM2F3r5mq4JdYlttG-S9zUzWe5mqcPZFUxx9k8WmXOPIjnos63T2BVIgp7eeaG5vqG3Lem0WaLdGQRajgTCWnW78mtfCNVLnFXnAeovYQ9Vsx8GSTx3YZ95x98Zg65EWA5nQq-jv5uGtAUOC~sNgcI2aTFh~~ITBK3bJASwfnM3EUekBFOq6H6AsM9-qHLhJbbQEdzOAFJw2WQ7W7jITSaEib933LsxtrNYlYOFvbKeb8PaxTNdp317a3Uw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The West Lafayette City Council approved a package of ordinances on March 3 that included financial housekeeping, land-use approvals and code clarifications. Below is a summary of the voted items, their outcomes, and the key details discussed on the council floor.

Ordinance 4-2025 — Establish grants fund: Passed by roll call, 8–0. City Controller Peter Gray said the ordinance consolidates grant accounting into a single, dedicated grant fund to organize and track awards that had been spread across multiple funds.

Ordinance 5-2025 — Reestablish cumulative capital development fund: Passed by roll call after a public hearing, 8–0. Peter Gray said the fund supports IT and certain capital expenditures. The council opened and closed the required public hearing at the same meeting and approved the ordinance.

Ordinance 6-2025 — Cumberland Development Partners planned development (UZO amendment): Passed by roll call, 8–0. Attorney Chris Schumman, representing petitioner Cumberland Development Partners, described a garden-style apartment complex on a remnant lot off Cumberland: 10 low-rise buildings, 1‑ and 2‑bedroom units to be leased by unit (not by bed), and amenitized common spaces including pickleball courts and fitness areas. Schumman said the rent-by-unit commitment is written into the planned development narrative and would be enforceable as a zoning violation if not followed.

Ordinance 7-2025 — County UZO amendment (ADU provisions for county zones): Passed by roll call, 8–0. Council members noted this county-level amendment applies outside city zoning and does not change West Lafayette city code.

Ordinance 8-2025 — UZO amendment clarifying fueling centers and truck-stop definitions: Passed by roll call, 8–0. Chad (housing director) and staff explained the change creates a \"fueling center\" definition (limits such facilities to no more than four semi lanes, no overnight truck parking, and a maximum acreage) and clarifies separation from residential zones; the amendment replaces a prior 500-foot separation rule with an approach that allows administrative buffer-yard determinations.

Ordinance 9-2025 — Vacate utility/drainage easement at 2541 Neil Armstrong Drive: Passed by roll call, 8–0. Corporation counsel described this as a cleanup item tied to redevelopment; new drainage easements will be handled through the Board of Works.

Ordinance 10-2025 — Vacate two easements at 200567 Neil Armstrong Drive: Passed by roll call, 8–0. Similar to Ordinance 9, this item consolidated storm-sewer and utility service easements for future redevelopment; a public hearing is planned before the second reading.

Ordinance 11-2025 — Amend Traffic Commission membership and quorum rules: Passed by roll call, 8–0. The ordinance modernizes membership language, clarifies who may serve (including nonresident experts), and adjusts quorum language to reflect the actual number of representatives used by staff.

All the above ordinances that were adopted passed unanimously by the attending council members. Ordinance 1-2025 (the ADU UZO amendment) failed separately after extended debate and public comment; that vote was 7–1 against (Blanco in favor).

Clerk roll-call tallies for passed ordinances were recorded in the meeting minutes as eight yeas and no nays for Ordinances 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11.

","On March 3 the council approved eight ordinances establishing grant and capital funds, approving utility-easement vacations, amending UZO provisions for developments and fueling centers, and revising traffic commission membership; one high-profile zoning amendment (ADUs) failed.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6031520,"City staff reports 2024 progress on Greater Lafayette Climate Action Plan; annual report to be released on Earth Day",333,523000,856000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5479813-79299382aa2874e118afb2c2bac181c2&start=523&end=856","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5479813-79299382aa2874e118afb2c2bac181c2/thumbnail_523000.jpg","/articles/6031520/West-Lafayette-City/Tippecanoe-County/Indiana/City-staff-reports-2024-progress-on-Greater-Lafayette-Climate-Action-Plan-annual-report-to-be-released-on-Earth-Day","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6031520-74295b0548f7ad0fa654f6ab15d5c20e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166013&Signature=X~OPa6J4ENphnDzK6utwutbcSl6JrkT1kub9oNPJIrzJfhyzBqQT62f5Cy1O2qr7s0lkyJgcAcnK~I-F5JqZH6apApbTUGNwEhuW7m9Q1N1iHyxDjkNEhJwILtQq7mITCNAvSh86Sv9r-4FjC-OOPQ~HTM-VrRDvbYEpFH98kOZ2kI-Ffojix~XQV14jKqeqipgihGFY33PoMcwlfT6FodxZshKyHdEB6-4hNPMtUgxkjQ5EJJCb17aDB3PGymZIRvQCaKxEqyCQRdEjGkVBChZjrsiGYAoPoHV1XQOcs3F-Ts9bfI4FrqDcSUR1g2FkioU4zLOLSEeO3~AgGOXX4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Clara, a staff presenter for the Greater Lafayette Climate Action Plan, told the West Lafayette City Council on March 3 that the region made measurable progress on climate actions in 2024 and that a combined annual report for Lafayette, West Lafayette and Tippecanoe County will be released on Earth Day.

Clara said the 2024 effort advanced 41 of the plan's 71 actions (58%) across four focus areas: energy use in the built environment; transportation; agriculture and forestry; and water, wastewater and solid waste. She cited partnerships and community events as central to the progress and highlighted specific accomplishments: Green Fest drew about 125 attendees and 10 participating organizations; regional \"Detrash the Wabash\" events removed more than 6 tons of trash from the Wabash River; the region hosted a McKinney Climate Fellow, Annabelle Prokopy, who developed a community food-waste diversion map; and the cities joined the EPA's Sustainable Communities Accelerator Network for technical assistance on resiliency hubs.

On energy, Clara said West Lafayette expanded solar outreach through Solar United Neighbors sessions and approved bids to install solar on five city-owned buildings. On transportation, the city added three hybrid vehicles to reduce fleet emissions and helped open the Sagamore Parkway Trail in partnership with Lafayette, Tippecanoe County, INDOT and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. The parks and sanitation departments experimented with brine alternatives using local distillery byproducts for winter maintenance, Clara added.

Clara also said AmeriCorps park allies and local nonprofit partners ran more than 15 invasive-species removal workdays in 2024 and helped plant more than 80 trees across West Lafayette parks. In waste-management work, the city assisted the Tippecanoe County Solid Waste Management District with two e-waste events that collected about 183,000 pounds of e-waste in 2024 and helped establish five vape-disposal drop-off sites.

Councilors asked for more trackable metrics: one councilor asked if industries and Purdue were active partners; Clara said staff regularly confer with Purdue's Office of Sustainability and have been engaging some local industries such as Caterpillar and Evonik. Another councilor asked about tracking waste diversion and program participation; Clara said data-sharing limitations with private waste contractors make some measures difficult but that the Go Greener Commission and the county can provide more specific counts for certain programs.

Clara said the plan's 58% figure was tied to the original modeling that informed the plan's targets, and staff expect an updated 2024 greenhouse-gas inventory later in the year to better quantify emissions impacts.

The city will continue implementation in 2025 and invited the public to participate in partner events and future planning updates.

","City presenter summarized 2024 implementation across four focus areas, reporting 41 of 71 actions (58%) initiated region-wide and listing community events, partnerships and specific accomplishments.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City council rejects proposed ADU rule change after lengthy public comment

Council approves series of ordinances; summary of votes and key items

City staff reports 2024 progress on Greater Lafayette Climate Action Plan; annual report to be released on Earth Day