Historic preservation commission recommends conservation district for 604 North Sixth Street (YWCA/Oppenheimer House)

The Historic Preservation Commission voted July 28 to recommend that 604 North Sixth Street — the building known to some as the YWCA and historically as the Oppenheimer House — be designated a conservation district and sent to the Lafayette City Council for final action. The recommendation stems from the District Committee’s review of the property’s age and architecture and followed a motion by a commission member. The commission recorded the motion, and after a voice vote the “motion carries.” Commission members described the house as dating to about 1860 with a later remodel around 1890 that gave it its present appearance. One commissioner noted the building’s association with a prominent local German Jewish family, the Oppenheimers, and said the structure is “definitely worth of preservation.” The committee reported it had worked with the YWCA and a descendant, Kathy Bush, who was identified in the meeting as an Oppenheimer family member. Discussion: Commissioners and committee members emphasized the house’s historical provenance and architectural style (described in the meeting as Queen Anne in its present form) when recommending local protection. No city council action was taken at the meeting; this Commission vote is advisory and will be transmitted to council. Decision/direction: The Commission’s formal action was a recommendation to the Lafayette City Council. The meeting record shows a motion to recommend approval and a voice vote in favor; no roll-call vote or recorded nay/abstention names were provided in the transcript. Implementation details and next steps: The recommendation will be forwarded to city staff for placement on the City Council agenda. The transcript did not specify a date for council consideration or any related ordinance number.