Historic Preservation Commission approves demolition at Saint James Church, waives 60-day waiting period

The Lafayette City Historic Preservation Commission voted on July 27 to allow Saint James Church to demolish a standalone utility structure at 800 Cincinnati Street and to waive the Board of Works’ typical 60-day waiting period. The motion passed after a roll call in which one commissioner recused and the remaining voting members said "aye."

Michael, the petitioner introduced at the meeting, told the commission, "They are demolishing or submitting an application to demolish a utility structure on the property," and said the small boiler-room building has been out of use since the 1990s or early 2000s and is causing pavement and tunnel issues. The COA committee recommended approval before the full commission considered the item.

A commissioner who identified themselves as a member of Saint James recused from the item, saying, "As a member of Saint James, I'm I guess I'm recusing myself of it," and explained that earlier preservation grant work had excluded the structure because it was expected to be removed. Commissioners noted that some materials could be salvaged but that the structure is isolated from the main school building and not visibly contributing to the site’s historic character.

The chair clarified that the single vote approved both the demolition and the waiver of the waiting period. The commission did not identify further local permitting steps at the meeting; implementation will follow usual administrative processes outside this commission.