The Board of Commissioners rejected an ordinance proposed by the City of Lafayette on Oct. 6 that would have added new restrictions and architectural standards for gasoline service stations in the county’s unincorporated areas.

The county considered Ordinance 2025-35, a package sent by Lafayette to align unified zoning provisions across jurisdictions. Doug (county staff) explained the measure would restrict gas stations in NB, GB and HB zoning districts and add separation, setback and architectural standards. “They've seen a lot of development of gas stations, all over the city, and they're trying to, I think, achieve a certain look for them,” he said.

Commissioners said the separation requirement—effectively requiring about a mile between stations in some readings—was too restrictive for unincorporated areas. “That’s kinda pushing it the way I'm looking at. So I am not in favor of this for the county,” one commissioner said. Another commissioner said parts of Lafayette's package, such as decommissioning requirements, might merit separate consideration at the county level and invited discussion in the ordinance committee.

No members of the public spoke for or against the ordinance during the hearing. After a motion to hear the ordinance and discussion, the clerk announced “Ordinance 2025-35 ... fails 2 to 0.” The record shows the county declined Lafayette's package but left open the possibility of adopting isolated provisions through the county ordinance process.

The commissioners’ discussion distinguished the city’s local preferences from countywide policy. Staff recommended approval for Lafayette's ordinance at the Area Plan Commission but presented it to the county only for consideration, allowing the county to decline without affecting Lafayette’s internal action.